NASCAR announces new date for race at Atlanta Motor Speedway -- without spectators

NASCAR announced Thursday that it has rescheduled the Atlanta race that was supposed to take place in March for next month.

The Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 will now be run at 3 p.m. June 7 at Atlanta Motor Speedway – but without any spectators.

“I’d like to thank Gov. Brian Kemp and every one of the state and local health officials that we’ve worked with to develop a plan to get back to racing,” said AMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Hutchison. “When NASCAR comes to Atlanta Motor Speedway, the eyes of the entire sports world will be on Georgia for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 and we intend to put on a great show.”

RELATED STORIES:

• NASCAR postpones Atlanta race weekend, Homestead-Miami race over coronavirus
• NASCAR will be watched closely when it returns to racing
• NASCAR to resume season May 17 with seven races in 10 days

“As we continue the measured process of reopening our state, I am confident in their plan to return to racing safely, and I’m excited to join with patrons across the country in celebrating the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 come June,” Kemp said in a news release Thursday.

AMS said it has a comprehensive plan to maintain social distancing measures that includes limiting overall personnel, pre-event health screenings, social distancing on site, using personal protective equipment and sanitizing areas of the facility both before and during the event.

“Our goal at Atlanta Motor Speedway is to provide fans with a weekend of fun and great memories, so it’s tremendously disappointing that the circumstances surrounding the pandemic will prevent us from hosting spectators,” Hutchison said.

For people who had tickets to the March race, AMS said, “ticketholders on file may choose to receive an event credit for the full amount paid plus an additional 20% or choose to receive a full refund of their purchase price. The event credit can be applied toward any admissions, including, but not limited to, grandstand seating, infield tickets, camping, fan hospitality and pit passes. The 120% event credit can be used during the remaining 2020 or 2021 seasons for a NASCAR sanctioned event at any Speedway Motorsports owned track, subject to availability.”

AMS said, “all fans are advised to hold their current tickets and asked to complete an exchange request form at AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com/exchange/ to start the process. Ticket office representatives will follow up with fans within three weeks regarding the status of their request. Ticketholders should email amstix@atlantamotorspeedway.com or call 1-877-926-7849 with further questions.”

NASCAR: No fans at this weekend's race in Atlanta NASCAR tweeted the announcement, saying that the race will be restricted to competitors, crews, officials and other 'necessary personal to conduct the race.'

© 2020 Cox Media Group