No fans allowed at Dover’s NASCAR race weekend

Jimmie Johnson on the Dover high-banks

Dover International Speedway announced Monday that fans will not be allowed to attend its race weekend from Aug. 21-23 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The six scheduled races will still go on as planned, including NASCAR Xfinity Series and Cup Series doubleheaders on both Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23.

The track had hoped to have a limited number of fans allowed at the track, which seats about 54,000 fans.

“We submitted a comprehensive plan to state officials outlining our planned procedures and protocols for keeping our fans safe throughout our August race weekend," Dover International Speedway president and CEO Mike Tatoian said in a statement. “Unfortunately, due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, the decision was made to not allow fans.

"We understand it. And while we are disappointed, we also realize that we need to err on the side of caution and yield to the opinions of public health experts to help reduce the further spread of COVID-19."