Two high-ranking NC politicians urge Gov. Cooper to allow Charlotte to host NASCAR race

Add state treasurer Dale Folwell and N.C. speaker of the house Tim Moore to the ever-growing number of N.C. politicians asking Governor Roy Cooper to modify an executive order to allow Charlotte Motor Speedway to host a NASCAR race next month.

They want the Coca-Cola 600 to be run Memorial Day weekend without fans in attendance. The 600-mile race is one of the premier events on the NASCAR schedule.

Folwell and Moore, both Republicans, sent letters to the Democratic governor Monday.

“NASCAR has affirmed its intention to return to racing in May,” Moore wrote in his letter, “and the Coca-Cola 600 offers an excellent opportunity to host a historic event in our state while prioritizing health and public safety by holding the race without fans.”

Earlier, five Republican state senators from the Charlotte area called for Cooper to amend his stay-at-home order and partially reopen Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Cooper’s stay-at-home order was issued March 27 and closed non-essential businesses in North Carolina due to the coronavirus pandemic, and NASCAR has suspended its season until further notice. The Associated Press reported Friday that NASCAR has “privately given teams a revised schedule in which racing would return with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

The five N.C. senators are Kathy Harrington (R-Gaston); Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus); Todd Johnson (R-Union); Sen. Vickie Sawyer (R-Iredell); and Carl Ford (R-Rowan)

The senators’ press release and Moore’s letter Monday noted Florida has already adopted a similar policy for NASCAR races to potentially be run without fans in attendance.

“Our state must find appropriate measures to reopen our economy and begin a full recovery as soon as possible,” Moore said in his letter. “North Carolina should take this opportunity to show our state will take commonsense (sic) safety measures to reopen our economy and renew a sense of normalcy for millions of citizens who are hurting.”

Gibbie Harris, Mecklenburg County’s health director, declined to say her opinion on whether the speedway should hold the May 24 event without fans. She said they’re monitoring the situation closely, given that it’s just over the county line.

“Our desire is to run the Coca-Cola 600 with fans as originally scheduled on May 24, but we realize these are unprecedented circumstances and the parameters surrounding public gatherings remain a primary consideration,” Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith said in a statement. “We look forward to working with Gov. Cooper in an effort that will allow race fans to once again enjoy action on the track as we all work through these challenging times. For 60 years, this race has been a Memorial Day Weekend tradition at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and we want to do everything possible to support NASCAR, the dozens of race teams in North Carolina and the fans to get back on track.”

North Carolina has at least 6,840 reported cases of the coronavirus as of Monday morning, and 199 people have died, according to state and county health departments.

But some North Carolina beaches that closed due to the coronavirus pandemic have reopened. Georgia reopened its public beaches, and South Carolina plans to start doing so this week.

Folwell, who said he is an avid NASCAR fan, said in a news release that, “NASCAR IS SAFETY. It is an organization that is accustomed to big goals and short deadlines.”

“There is no question that they can figure out what’s right, get it right and keep it right for the upcoming All-Star race (May 16) and the Coca-Cola 600,” Folwell said in the release. “As State Treasurer and member of the Council of State, given the opportunity, I will support opening (Charlotte Motor Speedway) for non-fan events next month.”