NASCAR was the first major sport to return to action on May 17 since the sports world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic and racing at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway was the first sport to return to the Music City on July 4.
The second race at the fairgrounds was Saturday with the sport still ahead of all others in town and its drivers take pride in leading the way back.
"Not only are we happy to be bringing sports back, but now is a time for us to grab some fans with nothing else going on," Franklin's Jackson Boone said. "It's good for people to actually see us in action and that we're not a bunch of red necks turning left. We're out here with strategy and setup and busting our rear ends. We're here to do business."
The feature Saturday was the eighth annual Championship Racing Association Master of the Pros 150, which was won by Matt Craig of Kannapolis, North Carolina, who finished almost a half a lap ahead of Bubba Pollard from Senoia, Georgia in the 32-car field.
Jake Garcia from Monroe, Georgia was third, Travis Braden from Wheeling, West Virginia was fourth and Boone was fifth.
"It's big for us because NASCAR is the only sport that's had fans in the stands — look at Bristol (All-Star Race) earlier this week and this race tonight," Pollard said. "You kind of get used to the restrictions we now have to follow. I don't think we'll ever get back to normal. I think this is going to be the normal for quite some time. You don't really think about it and it becomes second nature once you get to working and focused on what you're doing."
There has now been a total of 14 races in the two events this season at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
The races have been conducted with COVID-19 restrictions in place, which included limiting to the crowd to 20% capacity (2,250).
Saturday's crowd was 2,013 after 1,505 showed up for the first race.
"I know we have some issues with the coronavirus, but I think we can still get out and do things and still move forward," said driver Michael House from Columbia. "I'm proud to say we have had a part in showing everybody we can still function and still have sporting events."
Up to 80% compliance
Dr. Michael Caldwell, Director of the Metropolitan Public Health Department, has attended both races at the fairgrounds to make sure fans are following the COVID-19 guidelines.
Two members of the health department joined Caldwell Saturday.
The guidelines include fans wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
Caldwell estimated 80% of the fans complied with the guidelines Saturday, which was up from the 55-60% he estimated followed the guidelines for the first race.
New Saturday was track workers carrying signs in the grandstands reminding fans to wear masks.
"Two weeks ago I thought it was a great start," Caldwell said. "We reviewed how they did and early this week did a practice enforcement effort on what I wanted to see. One of the suggestions was to go up and down with the sign to remind people in a collegial way that was not confrontational, but got the message out."
Caldwell said the fairgrounds is being used as a model to pave the way for other sports and non-sports events in town to resume.
"What they're doing here at the raceway is helping us to take these best practices to other events in the community," Caldwell said.
Dominate victory
It was Craig's second win of the year and second time for Pollard to finish second behind him. Craig won the CARS Tour Southern National on March 7 in Kenly, North Carolina.
On Saturday Dylan Fetcho from Lebanon jumped to an early lead before Braden caught him on the 23rd lap.
Braden stayed in front for 59 laps and through two cautions with Craig bearing down on him the whole time before taking the lead on lap 83.
Pollard moved from fourth to second after the fifth caution on lap 95, but was only able to challenge Craig briefly before Craig established a commanding lead the rest of the way.
Craig earned $10,000, Pollard, who was on the pole and won last week at the Rumble by the River 125 in Montgomery, Alabama, earned $5,000 followed by Garcia $3,500, Braden $2,500 and Boone $2,000.
The next race at the fairgrounds is Aug. 8.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.
"back" - Google News
July 19, 2020 at 11:10AM
https://ift.tt/30texcD
NASCAR and local drivers take pride in bringing sports back during COVID-19 pandemic - Tennessean
"back" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2QNOfxc
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "NASCAR and local drivers take pride in bringing sports back during COVID-19 pandemic - Tennessean"
Post a Comment