NASCAR fans at TMS will be hot at O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, but the drivers will love it
With the temperature expected to near triple digits at Texas Motor Speedway on July 19, fans will experience a hot and muggy day.
But the drivers will love it.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 starts at 2 p.m. as the second half of the NASCAR season begins.
“It’s one of the fastest tracks in NASCAR,” said TMS president Eddie Gossage.
Typically, TMS hosts races in the spring and fall, but the coronavirus has drivers racing in the hot Texas summer.
Gossage said the track will be somewhere between 120-130 degrees.
“This surface is going to be hot and the drivers love it,” Gossage said. “They love when it’s hot and the cars are sliding around. It handles better when it’s hot and we’ve never had that.
“A hot, greasy track will make for a great race. I’m excited for that.”
COVID-19
Due to COVID, both the stands and infield will be limited to practice social distancing.
This will be the first professional event in Texas to allow fans.
The state allows 50% capacity at outdoor stadiums. Gossage said he doesn’t believe that number will be reached come race day.
Drivers, along with their 15 crew members, are only allowed in the infield. Everyone will go through a screening process upon arrival.
Crew members will be required to wear masks, according to Gov. Greg Abbott’s mandated order.
Drivers won’t have any direct contact with their crew.
“The drivers aren’t allowed in the garage. They’ll be in a motor coach. When the time comes, they’ll get a phone call, taken to their car on the grid, strap in and race,” Gossage said.
“The trucks that haul the cars are usually parked inches apart in the garage. Now they’ll be parked in every other space. Victory lane will consist of the driver, me, a video shooter and a photographer. We’ll all be wearing masks.”
Favorites
Kevin Harvick leads the Cup Series standings over Chase Elliott by 85 points. Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin round out the Top 5.
The drivers will hit Kentucky for the Quaker State 400 on Sunday before NASCAR will have its all-star race on Wednesday in Bristol, Tennessee.
Harvick and Hamlin are hotter than any other drivers. They’re tied for the season lead with four wins each.
Hamlin is the defending champ. He rallied to beat Clint Bowyer by 2.74 seconds.
“Kevin had gone a long time without a win in Texas, but now I think he’s won three of the last five we’ve had so he’s running well here, Gossage said. “Those two guys are heads and tails over everyone else.”
Other drivers in contention for a victory are Jimmie Johnson, who has more wins in Texas than anyone else, and Kyle Busch, who led for 66 laps in last year’s race.
Johnson owns track records in wins (seven), laps led, top 5 finishes and top 10 finishes.
“He hasn’t won this year, but he’s having a strong 2020,” Gossage said.
Johnson has two top 5 and six top 10 finishes this season. But the future hall of famer hasn’t won since 2017.
“He’s going on his longest streak without a win, but that very well could end here,” Gossage said.
Busch is 10th in the Cup Series. He‘s tied for second with seven top 5s and tied for fourth with nine top 10s this season.
“Kyle has also been good in Texas,” Gossage said. “He hasn’t won this year. He’s been good, but unlucky.”
Under the Radar
A dark horse in the race is Aric Almirola, who’s ninth in the Cup Series.
“Aric is a great guy. He’s with Stewart-Haas Racing and having the best year of his career,” Gossage said. “Tony Stewart told me a couple years ago that the kid can race and Tony has a great eye.
Almirola has five top 5s this year, all in the past five races, and eight top 10s.
