NASCAR To Run Coca-Cola 600 Memorial Weekend: How To Watch

Kimberly Johnson
·2 min read

MOORESVILLE, NC — After a two-month hiatus, NASCAR will resume Cup level racing this month at events without fans at Darlington and Charlotte speedways, it announced. On the schedule is the annual Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, "a NASCAR crown jewel", set for Memorial Day weekend.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the race at the track on Memorial Day weekend, NASCAR said.

The green light for the annual NASCAR race marks the first major sporting event for North Carolina since statewide stay-at-home orders were put in place in mid-March to help slow the spread of novel coronavirus. Last week, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper extended that order until May 8 despite growing pressure to end them in order to help state businesses and industries, including NASCAR.

Cooper said earlier this week, however, that he expected the race to take place at the Charlotte track as planned Memorial Day weekend, providing the sport incorporate protocols meant to slow the spread of novel coronavirus.

"I have had conversations with NASCAR officials and officials at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, and they have submitted plans that involve social distancing," Cooper said at a news conference Tuesday. "Our public health officials— [NC Department of Health and Human Services] Secretary Mandy Cohen and State Health Director Betsy Tilson — have looked at them and made some suggestions, but will approve those," he said.

"We believe that unless health conditions go down, that we can have the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend in Charlotte," Cooper added. "I think that NASCAR will be making that announcement, but we believe that's what will happen."

SEE ALSO: Gov. Cooper Green Lights NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 In Charlotte

Thursday, NASCAR released the upcoming schedule of how teams would return to racing in the Cup, Xfinity and Gander RV & Outdoor Truck series beginning May 17.

Here's the upcoming NASCAR schedule and how to watch:

  • Sunday, May 17 — Darlington, Cup Series, 400 miles, Fox, 3:30 p.m. star

  • Tuesday, May 19 — Darlington, Xfinity Series, 200 miles, FSI, 8 p.m.

  • Wednesday, May 20 — Darlington, Cup Series, 500 km, FSI, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sunday, May 24 — Charlotte, Cup Series, 600 miles, FOX, 6 p.m.

  • Monday, May 25 — Charlotte, Xfinity Series, 300 miles, FSI, 7:30 p.m.

  • Tuesday, May 26 — Charlotte, Truck Series, 200 miles, FS1, 8 p.m.

  • Wednesday, May 27 — Charlotte, Cup Series, 500 km, FS1, 8 p.m.

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This article originally appeared on the Mooresville Patch