Story and photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
Las Vegas Motor Speedway welcomed fans for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic as 12,500 fans watched Kyle Larson and his Chevrolet #5 car take the Pennzoil 400 Sunday.
Speedway President Chris Powell was hoping that more fans would be allowed by Clark County Health officials at the 80,000-fan venue on the sprawling grounds north of Las Vegas. But the capacity was limited to 15 percent — less than the 20 percent cited by Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak in his most recent COVID-19 directive on large event gatherings. Fans also attended NASCAR races at the Speedway Friday and Saturday.
Take a look at the social distancing in the grandstands:
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Local sponsors had their brands on the cars. Let’s check out local Las Vegas area products Kyle Busch and Ethel M Chocolates combining forces. Ethel M Chocolates celebrated its 40-year anniversary with a primary paint scheme featured on Busch’s No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and BetMGM unveiled the first NASCAR racecar to be fully branded by a sports betting operator. The BetMGM paint scheme debuted during the Pennzoil 400. The No. 3 Chevrolet, driven by Austin Dillon, adorned BetMGM’s black and gold colors.
Las Vegas’ Kurt Busch was also on hand.
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Larson of Hendrick Motorsports won his first NASCAR race since his suspension for saying a racial slur while playing a video game during the pandemic.
LVSportsBiz.com reported a story in 2018 on Larson scoring a sponsorship with Credit One Bank.
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With fans back at the Speedway, LVSportsBiz.com documented the scenes.