Charlotte Motor Speedway Could Host Thousands Of Fans For Coca-Cola 600

Good news for NASCAR fans! The Coca-Cola 600 is likely to host thousands of fans in person during the race over Memorial Day weekend, thanks to Gov. Roy Cooper's announcement Wednesday (February 24) that the state was keeping capacity at 30% for outdoor sports arenas but eliminating the 100-person cap, NBC Sports reports.

Following Gov. Cooper's announcement, officials with Charlotte Motor Speedway, home of the annual race, spoke of their excitement for having fans return to the track.

"The energy and excitement of our fans is what fuels our sport and everything we do here at America's Home for Racing," said Greg Walter, executive vice president and general manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "We've been in close contact throughout the pandemic with the governor's office about how we can safely host race fans, and I cannot overstate how excited we are with today's news."

"From hosting one of NASCAR's crown jewel events to honoring the men and women of our Armed Forces, the Coca-Cola 600 weekend is special for so many reason," said Walter. "While the grandstands won't be full, being able to share this historic event with thousands of fans in person is a big step in the right direction. We hope with continued improvement in pandemic trends by May that we may be able to host even more fans."

Fans attending the Memorial weekend race, which also includes the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 and Also Uniforms 300, will be required to follow safety protocols issued by the speedway. This includes wearing masks, social distancing, and cashless transactions. Protocols may be adjusted in the months leading up the race depending on state and local guidance.

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