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A21
SPORTS Thursday 19 March 2020
NASCAR tackling how to reschedule races, keep teams afloat

By JENNA FRYER sure if it will race during a
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — planned break during the
NASCAR plans to resched- Tokyo Olympics, as request-
ule the seven Cup Series ed by broadcast partner
races already postponed NBC Sports. The Olympics
due to the COVID-19 pan- are currently scheduled to
demic. Figuring out how open in late July.
to cram the events and "It's understanding the rac-
the All-Star race into the es that we've had to post-
crowded 36-race schedule pone and what is the best
could be difficult. way to get them fit back
NASCAR has already post- into a schedule," Phelps
poned its season until May said. "Will it be a crowded
9 at Martinsville Speedway landscape, television land-
in Virginia. IndyCar sus- scape, with a lot of different
pended its start to the sea- sports on? Yes, it's going to
son through the end of April be. I think, again, we'll work
last week, while Formula with our television partners
One has postponed or to find the appropriate win-
canceled several events, dows so we can get back
including last weekend's racing and make sure our
opener in Australia. fans get the opportunity to
"These clearly are unprece- In this Nov. 18, 2018, file photo, Denny Hamlin, left, leads the pack at the start of the NASCAR Cup see that racing."
dented times with informa- Series championship auto race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in Homestead, Fla. NASCAR has eased the fi-
tion changing by the hour," Associated Press nancial burden on teams
NASCAR President Steve by banning car tests for
Phelps said Tuesday. "Col- problems, it can cause ary became owner of Indy- through this, each of our now, including time spent
lectively, our industry has more severe illness, includ- Car and the Indianapolis stakeholders in the indus- in wind tunnels or on manu-
made several difficult deci- ing pneumonia. The vast Motor Speedway, prom- try gets through this crisis as facturer-owned simulators.
sions, all with one thought majority of people recover ised team owners they will well as we all can." Phelps also sent a letter to
in mind -- the health and from the new virus within a receive the first installment As for rescheduling the fans that stressed the series
safety of our fans, our com- few weeks. payment from the series' postponed events -- at At- hopes to return to racing in
petitors, employees and Motorsports is in a par- bonus program as planned. lanta, Homestead-Miami, May.
everyone in the industry. ticularly perilous position Phelps said NASCAR is still Texas Motor Speedway, "It's the thrill of the race that
The situation we are fac- without weekly racing be- working through those is- Bristol (Tenn.), Richmond attracts us to NASCAR and
ing transcends the world cause of its financial struc- sues. (Va.), Talladega (Ala.) and makes us all fans," Phelps
of sports. What is most im- ture. Teams must find the "We are working with our Dover (Del.) – Phelps said wrote. "But as we look
portant now is we take pre- sponsorship needed to teams closely to have them all options are under con- broadly at the coronavi-
cautions to keep everyone field each car, pay drivers, industry wide make sure we sideration. That includes rus situation that is rapidly
as safe as possible during make payroll for an entire are all financially viable midweek races and dou- developing in our country
these challenging times." organization and cover moving forward during this bleheaders. and abroad, what is im-
For most people, the new additional operating costs. postponement of our rac- NASCAR does want the portant now is bigger than
coronavirus causes only With no events scheduled es," Phelps said. "Are we postponed events con- the world of sports, and we
mild or moderate symp- until May, sponsors may concerned about teams cluded before the start of must focus on everyone's
toms, such as fever and ask for refunds and teams broadly and their financial its playoffs in September, safety and well-being. ...
cough. For some, espe- won't be collecting pay- health? Of course we are. still wants the season to NASCAR appreciates your
cially older adults and outs from purses. We want to make sure that end as planned at Phoe- support and we look for-
people with existing health Roger Penske, who in Janu- each of our teams gets nix in November and isn't ward to going green."q
Earnhardt, Busch sign on

for NASCAR esports series

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) on hold until at least May 3. Speedway was postponed.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle The multi-week series will Josh Williams, spotter for
Busch and other NASCAR start Sunday with a virtual Ryan Blaney, won that
drivers have signed on to competition at Home- race, which also featured
race in an exhibition es- stead-Miami Speedway. Earnhardt and Hamlin.
ports series while their cars Remaining races and "Until we have cars back on
are kept off the tracks amid broadcast details are ex- track, the entire NASCAR
the novel coronavirus pan- pected to be announced community has aligned
demic. at a later date. to provide our passion- Dale Earnhardt Jr., team owner and TV analyst answers ques-
NASCAR and iRacing an- Denny Hamlin, Clint Bow- ate fans with a unique, fun tions during a news conference before the NASCAR Daytona
nounced the formation of yer, Kyle Larson and Chris- and competitive experi- 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb.
16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
the eNASCAR iRacing Pro topher Bell will also be ence on race day," said Associated Press
Invitational Series on Tues- among those competing. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR'S
day night, trying to give A one-off simulation event vice president of racing fer an incredible product ers will stack up in the vir-
fans alternative viewing was held last weekend af- development. "Our long- and we are excited to see tual domain of competitive
with the NASCAR season ter a race at Atlanta Motor time partners at iRacing of- how many of our best driv- racing."q