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NASCAR Announces 2nd Installment of 2020 Schedule in Return from COVID-19
May 14, 2020
NASCAR's 2020 schedule is now set through June 21 after the latest updates following postponements due to the coronavirus.
This season was already set to return Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, the first of four events over the next two weeks. On Thursday, NASCAR announced 13 more races that will take place as the season continues, including five in the Cup Series.
Newly Announced Cup Series Races
Sunday, May 31: Bristol
Sunday, June 7: Atlanta
Wednesday, June 10: Martinsville
Sunday, June 14: Miami
Sunday, June 21: Talladega
Full NASCAR schedule available at the official website.
The changes also move events away from Chicagoland Speedway, Richmond Raceway and Sonoma Raceway during a realignment for the season.
The tracks selected for new races are ones in states that have fewer restrictions regarding COVID-19, including Tennessee (Bristol), Georgia (Atlanta), Alabama (Talladega) and Florida (Miami).
"We are eager to expand our schedule while continuing to work closely with the local governments in each of the areas we will visit," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "We thank the many government officials for their guidance, as we share the same goal in our return—the safety for our competitors and the communities in which we race."
Sunday's return to the season features significant changes, including no practices or qualifying sessions before the races as well as no fans for the event. Darlington will be the site of a rare midweek race on Wednesday. Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina will host the next two Cup races on May 24 and 27.
NASCAR has created guidelines for participants to help limit the spread of the coronavirus, which include a $10,000-50,000 fine for breaking them, according to Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports.
"If people aren't complying with our rules for masks and social distancing, they will be removed from the premises," said John Bobo, NASCAR's vice president of racing operations.