NASCAR community reacts to race postponements due to COVID-19

By Daniel McFadinMar 13, 2020, 1:06 PM EDT

AP Photo

A few hours before cars and trucks would take to the track, NASCAR announced the postponement of this weekend’s races in Atlanta and next weekend’s races at Homestead due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The announcement came with President Trump expected to declare a national emergency Friday afternoon.

Members of the NASCAR community took to social media to share their thoughts on an unprecedented moment in the sport.

Whether we agree/disagree with the decision, take the time to understand Covid-19. Educate yourself, WE ALL can do our part at solving the issue rather than adding to it. With UC, I am. https://t.co/2wL9F0i1cA

Also, THANK YOU to the health care workers for taking care of us. https://t.co/xlI4aOYMF9

— Greg Ives (@Ives_Greg) March 13, 2020

For all the idiots saying “this aged well.” This even solidifies what the original tweet said. NASCAR looked at the facts at hand and made the decision accordingly.

— Corey LaJoie (@CoreyLaJoie) March 13, 2020

We want to race as much as you want us to race but this is the right decision. This is so much bigger than sports right now and the health and safety of our fans, industry members and the overall public is top priority.

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) March 13, 2020

🍺 Me

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) March 13, 2020

Stay safe out there everyone! Stinks we aren’t racing but it is the right decision. If you need me I’ll be playing @CallofDuty with the boys spraying Lysol into the air over me!

— Brennan Poole (@brennanpoole) March 13, 2020

Stewart-Haas Racing statement regarding #NASCAR events at @AMSUpdates and @HomesteadMiami. pic.twitter.com/0Qnf8NZUyE

— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) March 13, 2020

Hendrick Motorsports fully supports NASCAR’s decision, which is in the best interests of fans, team members and the communities where we compete. We look forward to racing again at the appropriate time. Please stay safe. https://t.co/cO8UyNxpyi

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) March 13, 2020

Bummed to not race especially at these two tracks… had them both circled all year long. Safety of the competitors, fans, and everyone involved is first and foremost. Hopefully we can be back on track soon and at these two racetracks soon.

— Chase Briscoe (@ChaseBriscoe5) March 13, 2020

It’s unfortunate that @NASCAR had to make this call, but I 100% support their decision.

Looking forward to when we can get back to the track and put on a show! Stay healthy and safe everyone.

— Ross Chastain (@RossChastain) March 13, 2020

These are crazy times. Let’s look out for each other and work together to get through this. Together we stand!!!!

— Jeff Burton (@JeffBurton) March 13, 2020

Alex Bowman confident as he returns to racing from back injury

By Mike HembreeMay 27, 2023, 4:57 PM EDT

CONCORD, N.C. — Alex Bowman watched the rain-filled skies over Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday with more than a touch of disappointment.

As weather threatened to cancel Saturday night’s scheduled NASCAR Cup Series practice at the speedway, Bowman saw his chances to testing his car — and his body — dissolving in the raindrops. NASCAR ultimately cancelled practice and qualifying because of rain.

MORE: Wet weather cancels Charlotte Cup practice, qualifying

Bowman suffered a fractured vertebra in a sprint car accident last month and has missed three Cup races while he recovers. Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, the season’s longest race, is scheduled to mark his return to the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet.

“It would have been really nice to kickstart that with practice today,” Bowman said. “I haven’t raced or competitively driven a race car in a month. I’m trying to understand where my rusty areas are going to be and where I’m still good.”

Bowman ran 200 laps in a test season at North Wilkesboro Speedway this week, but, of course, that doesn’t compare with the faster speeds and tougher G-forces he’ll experience over 400 laps Sunday at CMS.

Bowman admitted that he is still experiencing pain from the back injury — his car flipped several times — and that he expects some pain during the race. But he said he is confident he’ll be OK and that the longer race distance won’t be an issue.

“I broke my back a month ago, and there’s definitely things that come along with that for a long time,” he said. “I have some discomfort here and there and there are things I do that don’t feel good. That’s just part of it. It’s stuff I’ll have to deal with. But, for the most part, I’m back to normal.

“I’m easing back into being in the gym. I’m trying to be smart with things. If I twist the wrong way, sometimes it hurts. In the race car at the end of a six-hour race, I’m probably not going to be the best.”

The sprint car crash interrupted what had been a fine seasonal start for Bowman. Although winless, he had three top fives and six top 10s in the first 10 races.

“I’m excited to be back,” Bowman said. “Hopefully, we can pick up where we left off and be strong right out of the gate.”

He said he hopes to return to short-track racing but not in the near future.

“Someday I want to get back in a sprint car or midget,” he said. “I felt like we were just getting rolling in a sprint car. That night we were pretty fast. Definitely a bummer there. That’s something I really want to conquer and be competitive at in the World of Outlaws or High Limits races. Somebody I’ll get back to that. It’s probably smart if I give my day job a little alone time for a bit.”

Charlotte NASCAR Cup Series starting lineup: Rain cancels qualifying

By Mike HembreeMay 27, 2023, 4:30 PM EDT

CONCORD, N.C. — William Byron and Kevin Harvick will start Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series 600-mile race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the front row after wet weather cancelled Saturday night qualifying.

Rain pelted the CMS area much of the day Saturday, and NASCAR announced at 3:45 p.m. that Cup practice and qualifying, scheduled for Saturday night, had been cancelled.

MORE: Alex Bowman confident as he returns to cockpit

The starting field was set by the NASCAR rulebook.

Following Byron and Harvick in the starting top 10 will be Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

The elimination of the practice session was particularly problematic for Alex Bowman, scheduled to return to racing Sunday after missing three weeks with a back injury, and Jimmie Johnson, who will be starting only his third race this year. Johnson will start 37th — last in the field.

Charlotte Cup starting lineup

Wet weather cancels Charlotte Cup Series practice, qualifying

By Mike HembreeMay 27, 2023, 4:11 PM EDT

CONCORD, N.C. — NASCAR Cup Series drivers will start the longest race of the season with no practice or qualifying.

Wet weather and predictions of more to come led NASCAR to cancel Saturday night’s Cup Series practice and qualifying in mid-afternoon. The field for Sunday’s 600-mile race was set by the NASCAR rulebook, placing William Byron and Kevin Harvick on the front row for the scheduled 6 p.m. start.

MORE: Charlotte Cup starting lineup

MORE: Alex Bowman confident as he returns to cockpit

Weather also could be an issue Sunday as more rain is predicted for the speedway area.

Drivers were scheduled to practice at 7 p.m. Saturday. That session was to be followed by qualifying at 7:45 p.m. The cancellations were announced at 3:45 p.m.

The time-trial cancellation marked the first time in 64 years that qualifying has been canceled for the 600.

Charlotte Xfinity race postponed to Monday by weather

By Mike HembreeMay 27, 2023, 3:59 PM EDT

CONCORD, N.C. — Persistent rain forced the postponement of Saturday’s scheduled 300-mile NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway to Monday.

The race is scheduled to start at noon ET. It will be televised by FS1 and broadcast by the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Driver introductions and other pre-race activities were held at the track Saturday, but rain that had dampened the track in the morning hours returned. After several attempts at drying the track, the race was postponed after heavier rain returned in mid-afternoon.

Justin Allgaier will start the race from the pole position.

MORE: Wet weather cancels Charlotte Cup practice, qualifying

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MORE: Alex Bowman confident as he returns to cockpit

Charlotte Cup starting lineup

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MORE: Alex Bowman confident as he returns to cockpit

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