NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR coronavirus updates: Timeline, schedule, driver and track messages

By Staff Report

NASCAR.com

Published:

12 Minute Read

This is your hub for NASCAR news and information in regards to the coronavirus outbreak and its impact in the sport. Bookmark this page and check back often for updates.

LATEST NASCAR CORONAVIRUS DEVELOPMENTS

On August 15, Richard Childress Racing announced that Austin Dillon had self-reported a positive COVID-19 test and would miss the race at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course. Kaz Grala will fill in behind the wheel of the No. 3 for that event. | Full story

On August 6, NASCAR set the remainder of its 2020 schedule including the playoff schedules for the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. The Cup Playoffs were unchanged while there were a handful of changes to the tracks that will make up the Xfinity and Gander Trucks postseasons. | Full story

On July 8, NASCAR set the remainder of its August schedule that will include six NASCAR Cup Series races, five NASCAR Xfinity Series race, four Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series races and four ARCA Menards Series races. All four series will race at the Daytona road course, which takes the place at Watkins Glen International on the schedule. | Full story

On July 8, Hendrick Motorsports announced that Jimmie Johnson had been cleared to return to action for the July 12 race at Kentucky Speedway. Johnson had self-reported a positive COVID-19 test last week. | Full story

On July 3, Hendrick Motorsports revealed that Jimmie Johnson self-reported that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and would miss the Indianapolis race. Justin Allgaier will fill in for Johnson in the No. 48 in the July 5 race. | Full story

On June 19, Stewart-Haas Racing issued a statement that two of its shop employees tested positive for COVID-19. The following day Team Penske issued a statement indicating an employee had tested positive. | Full story

On June 15, The NASCAR All-Star Race was shifted from Charlotte Motor Speedway to Bristol Motor Speedway for the July 15 event that is expected to have fans in attendance. Texas Motor Speedway announced on June 19 that its Sunday Cup race on July 19 will also have fans in attendance. | Full story

On June 9, NASCAR announced its plans to reintroduce guests at select NASCAR Cup Series races beginning with the June 14 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and June 21 at Talladega Superspeedway. It will be a limited number at the outset: Up to 1,000 South Florida service members as honorary guests for the Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami and up to 5,000 guests in the frontstretch grandstands/towers for the GEICO 500 at Talladega. | Full story

On June 4, NASCAR announced its third installment in the revamped 2020 schedule. This update included events taking place at Pocono Raceway on the final weekend of June through a NASCAR Cup Series race on Aug. 2 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The NASCAR All-Star Race is in this batch of updates, and that will take place on July 15 (a Wednesday) at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This round of updates includes seven points-paying Cup Series races, six Xfinity races, five Gander Trucks races and three ARCA Menards Series races.| Full story

On May 14, NASCAR added to its return to racing schedule with the addition of dates at Bristol Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. Dates at these tracks will include the three national series and the ARCA Menards Series will make its return with a date at Talladega. Spring dates at Kansas Speedway, Michigan International Speedway and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course have been postponed while the slate set for Iowa Speedway this year has been canceled. One of Iowa’s Xfinity Series race has been reassigned to Homestead-Miami Speedway. | Full story

NASCAR announced May 8 a 2020 schedule realignment that shifts dates away from Chicagoland Speedway, Richmond Raceway (spring) and Sonoma Raceway. The races originally scheduled for those tracks have been reassigned to Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. | Full story

NASCAR announced April 30 a revised May schedule as racing returns May 17 at Darlington Raceway, the first of seven races in an 11-day span that will also include events at Charlotte Motor Speedway. These races will be conducted without fans in attendance as NASCAR officials have collaborated with public health officials, medical experts and local, state and federal officials to create a comprehensive plan to ensure the health and safety of competitors and surrounding communities at these events. | Full story

Previous updates:

NASCAR postpones all races through May 9

NASCAR statement on Virginia’s stay-at-home order

NASCAR President Steve Phelps’ letter to the fans

Steve Phelps provides industry update to media

NASCAR postpones all races through May 3

TRACK/OTHER RESPONSES

– NASCAR R&D Center: The NASCAR Research & Development Center is printing face shields for local hospitals and doctors to help protect medical professionals as they treat COVID-19. Right now, hospitals in North Carolina and Georgia will be receiving masks that are made at the Concord, North Carolina, facility. NASCAR’s senior director of aerodynamics and vehicle performance, Eric Jacuzzi, explained the process to NASCAR.com’s Alex Weaver in this video.

– Charlotte Motor Speedway: In partnership with the speedway, Atrium Health has created a Coronavirus Testing Center at zMAX Dragway, part of the Charlotte Motor Speedway complex. The remote testing site provides a convenient location for residents of northern Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties to have their tests performed, when ordered by their physician. Testing for COVID-19 is conducted without patients having to get out of their cars, which reduces the possibility of infecting other patients and healthcare workers. Tests are administered by appointment only from your physician.

– Atlanta Motor Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the postponements for March 13-15 and rescheduling without fans in attendance for June 6-7.

– Bristol Motor Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the postponements for April 3-5 and rescheduling without fans in attendance for May 30-31. Message to fans and ticket-holders about having a limited number of fans for the Sept. 18-19 events at the track.

– Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the cancellation of the Sept. 4-6 Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race weekend.

– Charlotte Motor Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the running of the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24 without fans in attendance. The track also has a message to ticketholders for the 2020 NASCAR All-Star Race, which has been moved to July 15 and will now be held at Bristol Motor Speedway.

– Chicagoland Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the June 18-21 race weekend cancellation.

– Darlington Raceway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about limited fan attendance for Sept. 6 Southern 500.

– Daytona International Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the addition of the Aug. 14-16 race weekend. A limited number of fans will be allowed to attend the Aug. 14-16 race weekend at the Daytona road course as well as the Aug. 28-29 race weekend adhering to social distancing policies and procedures.

– Dover International Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the doubleheader weekend set for Aug. 21-23 that will be held without fans in attendance.

– Eldora Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the cancellation of the July 29-30 Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race week.

– Homestead-Miami Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the postponements for March 20-22 and rescheduling for June 13-14. See the track message about the track hosting up to 1,000 South Florida service members for the June 14 Dixie Vodka 400.

– Indianapolis Motor Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about holding July 4-5 race weekend without fans.

– Iowa Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the June 12-13 and July 31-August 1 race weekend cancellations.

– Kansas Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the postponements for May 30-31 and rescheduling without fans in attendance for July 23-25.

– Kentucky Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about holding July 9-11 race weekend without fans.

– Martinsville Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the postponements for May 8-9 and rescheduling without fans in attendance for June 10.

– Michigan International Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the postponements for June 5-7 and the rescheduling to a doubleheader weekend on Aug. 7-9 without fans in attendance.

– Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the postponements for May 29-30. The race has since been canceled.

– NASCAR Hall of Fame and team shops: Read here to learn about how the Hall and teams are taking precautions and closing to the public.

– New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders regarding the moving of the Cup race from July 19 to August 2. Read the message about track allowing fans via social distancing guidelines for Aug. 2 race.

– Pocono Raceway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about holding June 26-28 race weekend without fans.

– Richmond Raceway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the April 17-19 race weekend cancellation. Message to fans and ticket-holders about the Sept. 10-12 race weekend to be run without fans.

– Sonoma Raceway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the June 12-14 race weekend cancellation.

– Talladega Superspeedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the postponements for April 24-26 and rescheduling for June 20-21. See the track message about limited fan attendance for the June 21 GEICO 500.

– Texas Motor Speedway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the postponements for March 27-29 and the rescheduling to July 18-19. See the track message regarding fans being allowed at the track for the July 19 O’Reilly Auto Parts 500.

– Watkins Glen International: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the Aug. 14-16 race weekend cancellation.

– World Wide Technology Raceway: Message to fans and ticket-holders about the change in race weekend for the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series to August 30.

– Racing Electronics: Message to subscribers about postponed NASCAR events.

– Wood Brothers Racing: Providing tablets for seniors; find out more.

– Richard Childress Racing: Team owner Richard Childress is auctioning off rare memorabilia to help the effort against COVID-19; learn more here.

– Roush Fenway Racing: The race team’s shop is manufacturing a device similar to that of a “sneeze guard” at a salad bar; learn more here.

– Team Penske: The organization is assisting Stratasys — a technical partner for Team Penske — by making 3D-printed face shields at the race shop.

– TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold: Free access to racing fans through May 1; find out more here.

MORE: NASCAR Acceleration Nation offers at-home STEM learning

NASCAR TIMELINE

  • August 6: NASCAR set the remainder of its 2020 schedule including the playoff schedules for the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. The Cup Playoffs were unchanged while there were a handful of changes to the tracks that will make up the Xfinity and Gander Trucks postseasons. The lineup formula for all three national series was altered with that adjustment taking place starting with the Daytona Road Course race weekend on Aug. 14-16. A choose rule will also be in play for restarts across all three national series with the exception of road courses and the superspeedways of Daytona and Talladega and that rule will take effect starting with the Michigan race weekend on Aug. 7-9.
  • July 8: NASCAR set the remainder of its August schedule that will include six NASCAR Cup Series races, five NASCAR Xfinity Series race, four Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series races and four ARCA Menards Series races. All four series will race at the Daytona road course, which takes the place at Watkins Glen International on the schedule.
  • June 15: The NASCAR All-Star Race shifts from Charlotte Motor Speedway to Bristol Motor Speedway. The plan is to have a limited number of fans in attendance for the July 15 event.
  • June 9: NASCAR reveals its third round of 2020 schedule updates that includes events at Pocono Raceway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
  • May 14: NASCAR adds to its return to racing schedule with dates at Bristol Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. NASCAR also announces plans to reassign 2020 races at Iowa Speedway and postpones spring race weekends at Kansas Speedway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Michigan International Speedway.
  • May 8: NASCAR reassigns 2020 races at Chicagoland Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Richmond Raceway to new COVID-19 schedule.
  • May 5: NASCAR postpones Hall of Fame voting originally scheduled for May 20.
  • April 30: NASCAR announces revised May schedule with racing set to return at Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • April 17: NASCAR postpones race event at Martinsville Speedway scheduled for May 8-9.
  • April 2: NASCAR delays the Next Gen car debut until the 2022 NASCAR Cup series season.
  • March 24: FOX announces commitment to air eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series.
  • March 17: NASCAR bans all testing (not directly related to the Next Gen car) until further notice.
  • March 16: NASCAR postpones race events through May 3, in accordance with recent CDC guidance.
  • March 13: NASCAR postpones race weekends at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway because of the coronavirus outbreak.

JAYSKI: NASCAR expands its partnership with Clean Harbors

SCHEDULE UPDATES

NASCAR HALL OF FAME/RACE SHOPS

DRIVER RESPONSE

  • Denny Hamlin: Hamlin and sponsor FedEx are teaming up to donate 60,000 meals to the food bank in his hometown of Chesterfield, Virginia. | LEARN MORE …. Hamlin is the latest athlete to join the ALL IN Challenge, which has pegged itself as the largest digital fundraiser ever. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver and three-time Daytona 500 winner announced Tuesday he’s offering up the opportunity to play Michael Jordan’s new exclusive golf club in Florida alongside himself and PGA Tour’s Bubba Watson. That’s not all. In addition to the round of golf, the package will feature a private flight and VIP access to the 2021 Daytona 500. | LEARN MORE
  • Kyle Busch: Like Hamlin, the reigning Cup Series champion has joined Fanatics’ ALL IN Challenge, offering up a VIP experience for two guests to a future race. | LEARN MORE
  • Watch as drivers give thanks to those fighting COVID-19
  • Kurt Busch: Joins the ALL IN Challenge by offering a dream Las Vegas race weekend that is up for bid. | LEARN MORE
  • Joey Logano: The Joey Logano Foundation in partnership with Elevation Outreach has established a $1 million COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. The funding will address a variety of needs throughout the greater Charlotte area and communities across the United States, including educational equity and access, medical supplies, food distribution and financial shortages. | LEARN MORE
  • Jimmie Johnson: The seven-time champ has set up a fundraising effort for the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Inc. where anyone who donates at least $25 will be entered to win signed Jimmie Johnson race-worn shoes. The winner will be selected randomly at the conclusion of the fundraising period after May 1. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Inc. is an organization that has started the CDP COVID-19 Response Fund which focuses on supporting local nonprofit organizations working in areas identified as having high numbers of affected individuals and those who are working with the most vulnerable populations in these areas to help build their capacity for response. Learn more about the efforts | DONATE TODAY
  • How industry, drivers, partners are responding to coronavirus

eNASCAR

NASCAR and iRacing announced the formation of the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, an exhibition esports series featuring many of the sport’s most talented and popular drivers. The multi-week series kicked off March 22 at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway and continued while NASCAR regulars were away from the track. | More about the series

Make iRacing picks with the eNASCAR Finish Line app

FOX commits to televising Pro Invitational Series iRacing events

THROWBACK RACES ON YOUTUBE

Check back with us regularly as we unearth some gems from our vault for your viewing enjoyment.

  • This week’s race: Tim Richmond outduels Dale Earnhardt in 1986 at Riverside for Richmond’s seventh win of the season. | WATCH

CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION

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