CONCORD, N.C. — This week, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and state health officials announced a plan allowing outdoor sports venues with a capacity of more than 10,000 to hold events with a limited number of fans beginning Oct. 2.
Venues can have up to 7% of their capacity at events; news that comes just in time for race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
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“Throughout the summer, we’ve been working with local and state officials to bring fans to the Bank of America ROVAL 400 weekend for what promises to be one of the season’s most anticipated events,” Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Walter said in a news release.
Based on the limited capacity allowed by the state, no additional tickets will be sold for the Oct. 11 Bank of America ROVAL 400.
Tickets are still available for the racing doubleheader on Oct. 10: the NASCAR Xfinity Series Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina and the first-ever IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar GT Championship Series on the ROVAL.
Tickets cost $50 and are available by calling 800-455-FANS (3267) or online at charlottemotorspeedway.com. Children age 13 and younger get in free.
“While we regret that we cannot accommodate every fan who would like to be part of this spectacular race weekend, we are committed to providing the best and safest experience possible for those who are able to attend,” Walter added.
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Safety protocols that will be followed at the speedway include:
- Mandatory temperature checks at entry gates.
- Contactless ticketing.
- Socially distanced grandstand seating limited to groups of six or less.
- Cashless souvenir and concession purchases. Credit and debit cards and Apple Pay will be the accepted forms of payment.
- Fans and staff will be required to wear face masks or coverings at all times, except while eating and drinking.
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Additional race day protocols include social distancing in concession and bathroom lines, enhanced cleaning and sanitation in high-touch, high-traffic public areas, added hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility and limited guests in suites. Infield admission will be restricted to race team and operational personnel only.
Fans will be allowed to bring food and unopened beverages in a soft-sided clear bag no larger than 14 inches. Standard coolers will not allowed to help limit interpersonal contact at security checkpoints.
Walter said the speedway learned a lot from sister tracks in Bristol, New Hampshire and Texas, that have all successfully hosted fans during the pandemic.
“We look forward to implementing those ideas, among others, to be sure that fans can focus on fun while they’re here,” Walter said.