TMS preparing as though fans will attend NASCAR races later this month
Texas Motor Speedway is preparing as though fans will be attending the NASCAR races there later this month.
Track president Eddie Gossage has kept a ‘business as usual’ approach for now, although understands it’s a fluid situation amid the coronavirus pandemic.
NASCAR has announced that it’s next two races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway will be held without fans. TMS follows the Miami race with a triple-header race weekend scheduled March 26-29 in Fort Worth.
“We’re hoping that we can hold the races with fans in the stands and a packed infield like we always do,” Gossage said. “But this is a tough place to be right now. You just have to be patient. We’re letting fans know as fast as we possibly know something, but we’re hoping it’s 75-degree days and the stands are packed.
“For us, it’s full-speed ahead to March 29. That’s the only thing we’re doing is working on opening the gates.”
NASCAR will make the final decision, Gossage said. As of now, the only determinations has been the next two races running without fans.
“We will work with public health officials as we determine future scheduling beyond these events,” NASCAR said in a statement.
For Gossage, the coronavirus threat reminds him of how the track dealt with the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The attacks occurred on a Tuesday and TMS was scheduled to host an IndyCar race that Sunday.
The race was pushed back three weeks to October.
“Similar to this, you’ve got people coming from all over and you’re trying to make the right decision,” Gossage said. “We’re monitoring everything we can monitor.”
