20K-plus turn out for All-Star Race at Bristol
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Clint Bowyer hopped off his pit stand at Bristol Motor Speedway to learn he had won the fan vote to advance into NASCAR’s All-Star Race — an announcement met by a roar from the grandstands.
It wasn’t the raucous ovation typically heard at Bristol, but it was better than nothing after four months of near-silence.
Up to 30,000 fans were allowed to attend the race Wednesday, NASCAR’s largest with spectators since the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports in March. The attendance wasn’t released, but it appeared that at least 20,000 spectators were socially distanced throughout the grandstands — likely making it the largest sporting event in the United States since mid-March.
‘‘It damn sure feels good to have the fans back at the track,’’ Bowyer said.
Driver introductions were held for the first time since racing resumed May 17, but the usual festivities were toned down. Drivers for the All-Star event typically walk out on a stage with their teams. On this night, however, they stood next to their cars and waved to the crowd as they were introduced.
The All-Star Race — which Chase Elliott captured by .418 seconds over Kyle Busch to win the $1 million prize — was moved from Charlotte (North Carolina) Motor Speedway for only the second time since its inception in 1985 because Tennessee officials allowed Speedway Motorsports to sell a percentage of its seats. North Carolina wouldn’t authorize spectators.
‘‘What a better night to have fans back,’’ said Elliott, whose dad, Bill, won the race in 1986. ‘‘There’s nothing like Bristol. There’s no feeling like it. This speaks for itself. Bristol is an electric atmosphere. We’ll take that million dollars back to Georgia.’’
Bristol, dubbed ‘‘The Last Great Colosseum,’’ can hold about 140,000 people, meaning it would be 79% empty even with a crowd of 30,000. Masks only were required upon entrance, and fans were told they could remove them once they were in their seats.
In the qualifying race that awarded three slots into the 20-driver All-Star field, Bubba
Wallace — the only full-time Black driver in the Cup Series — crashed out when he appeared to be turned into the wall from behind by Michael McDowell.
‘‘People say he’s one of the nicest guys in the garage,’’ Wallace said of McDowell. ‘‘I can’t wait for the God-fearing text that he is going to send me about preaching and praise and respect. What a joke he is.’’