How TMS plans to handle Gov. Abbott’s mask mandate when it welcomes fans back in July
Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage doesn’t believe Gov. Greg Abbott’s mask mandate issued Thursday will impact the July 19 NASCAR race at the track too much.
The race is scheduled to become the state’s first sporting event with fans in the stands since the sports world shut down in mid-March amid the coronavirus pandemic. Gossage has strongly encouraged fans to wear masks to the race and said the track will abide by whatever protocols the state suggests now that masks are mandatory.
“We will seek the counsel of Governor Abbott’s office on how that [mask mandate] will be enforced,” Gossage said. “We will, of course, follow their direction. We would have expected most, if not all, in attendance would be wearing masks, regardless of the governor’s order.”
As far as Abbott’s order limiting outdoor gatherings to 10 people or fewer, TMS is exempt based on a previous order.
The state is allowing outdoor sporting venues such as TMS to hold up to 50% capacity. That would account for approximately 62,500 fans to attend the race, but Gossage said the track “will not be close” to reaching 50% capacity.
NASCAR is running all three of its series at Texas the July 18-19 weekend. The NASCAR Xfinity Series and truck series will race on July 18, and the NASCAR Cup Series’ O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 on July 19. Only the Cup race on Sunday is open to the public.
This is the rescheduled spring race weekend that was postponed in late March amid the pandemic.
TMS hosted the state’s first major sporting event to return with the season-opening IndyCar race last month. Veteran Scott Dixon won the Genesys 300 with no fans in attendance.
This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 4:47 PM.
