By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
NASCAR fans suffered a big loss Friday when they learned the South Point 400 NASCAR weekend Sept. 25-27 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will not include fans at any of the three races at the 1.5-mile track because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“To say we’re disappointed that we will conduct the South Point 400 playoff weekend without fans would be a gross understatement,” Speedway President Chris Powell said.
Powell said the Speedway disagrees with Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s directive limiting gatherings and crowds, “But we must adhere to Sisolak’s directive . . . ”
Under the current Nevada re-opening plan, fans are not permitted at sporting events or concerts, and groups are limited to 50 people or fewer.
Race fans holding tickets for the South Point 400 triple header weekend will be contacted by the speedway ticket services department to discuss credits for future races or refunds.
“We’re hopeful that we will be able to welcome all of our fans back for our two race weekends in 2021,” Powell said. “Those dates will be announced soon, and we look forward to getting things back to normal.”
All three events at LVMS will be televised live. The South Point 400 on Sept. 27 will begin at 4 p.m. Pacific Time on NBCSN and the Sept. 26. ALSCO 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race will start at 4:30 p.m. on NBCSN. The World of Westgate 200 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Trucks Series race will be Friday, Sept. 25 on Fox Sports 1.
Here are the latest numbers on the COVID-19 coronavirus in Nevada that has claimed the lives of 200,000 Americans.