Harvick dominates as NASCAR ushers in return
D ARLINGTON, S. C .— NASCAR's return started Sunday morning as teams began filing into Darlington at designated arrival times. A checkpoint at the gate allowed pr e-approved personnel into the infield after a health screening.
There was no exiting once inside NASCAR's designated footprint, all part of a meticulously planned health protocol.
NASCAR chose Darlington, the oldest speedway on the Cup circuit, as the safest place to restart the season after eight events were postponed and the series sat idle for 10 weeks. Facing a financial collapse if live races didn't get going on national television, NASCAR had its health plan approved in South Carolina and North Carolina and released an aggressive revised schedule.
Sunday marked the first of 20 races across seven Southern states between now and June 21 — and the return of the first major pro sports league in the United States.
Kevin Har vick won The Real Heroes 400 on Sunday, notching the 50th win of his career.
He dominated the day, leading 159 of 293 laps. He kept Alex Bowman, Kurt Busch and Chase Elliott in his rearview mirror at the end.
The series' first event since the corona virus shutdown was dedicated to health care workers fighting the pandemic. The names of health care workers across the country were substituted for the drivers' name above the door on each of the 40 cars.
Harvick raced for Dr. Josh Hughes, who is a friend of the driver.
Health-care workers gave the command to start the engines.
“These heroes will signal that NASCAR has returned, bringing back the intense competition and side-by-side racing we've all missed,” NASCAR President Steve P helps wrote in a letter to fans released Sunday morning.
“Our drivers, race teams and officials have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to get back to the race track and we want to assure you that we have taken the return to racing very seriously.”
Sunday was the first of three events D arlington will host over f our days. Roughly 900 people have been approved to be inside the gates, and all are considered essential. Teams were allowed 16 employees per car, including the driver and owner. But most owners gave up their slot because they are either over the age of 65 and at high risk for the new coronavirus, or their role at the track is not considered critical to the competition or broadcast of the event.
Participants were not screened for COVID- 1 9 but had temperature checks upon entry and throughout the day.
Drivers had to isolate until they were called to t heir cars, and everyone wore a face mask, including drivers until they got in their cars.
“While activity leading up to the race will feel different ,” P helps wrote in his letter, “the minute the green flag drops, our drivers and crews will be back to doing what they do best.”