In some ways, it was the same. Crews prepped cars, pushed them through inspection and prepared for Sunday’s Cup race at Darlington Raceway.
In many other ways, it was so much different. The new normal during the coronavirus pandemic requires social distancing, health screenings for all entering the track and wearing a mask at all times.
NASCAR returns after a 10-week break. What a sight it is for many fans. It’s just that some of the sights look a little different now.
MORE: Kevin Harvick wins in NASCAR’s return
MORE: Race results
DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light YOURFACEHERE Ford, crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Ty Dillon, driver of the #13 GEICO Chevrolet, leads Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Oscar Mayer Ford, during the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, leas drivers during the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light YOURFACEHERE Ford, pits during the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #96 Today. Tomorrow. Toyota, and Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, walk pit road prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: NASCAR Cup Series haulers are unloaded in the garage area on May 16, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR is preparing to resume the season with a race tomorrow after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the #38 Citgard Ford, has his temperature checked by NASCAR Security prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: The crew push the #96 Today. Tomorrow. Toyota, driven by Daniel Suarez through the garage area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Social distancing and techniques to stop the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) signage displayed in the garage area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: A crew member of the #20 DeWalt Atomic Thank You Toyota, checks the tires prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: A crew member in a mask looks on in the garage area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: The #14 Rush Trucking/Mobil 1 Ford, crew members prepare the pit area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light YOURFACEHERE Ford, has his temperature checked by NASCAR Security prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: The #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, driven by Chase Elliott sits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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Our press box photo for today's race at Darlington Raceway.
— Scott Chancey (@scottchancey) May 17, 2020
Seee?
We're social distancing....with masks
(Pssst... I'm at the far end) pic.twitter.com/eGkHQptP66