30,000 fans expected for Daytona 500
Around 30,000 fans are expected to attend next month’s Daytona 500, according to NASCAR President Steve Phelps, as the sport continues to try to bring as many spectators as possible back to races. As the sport ramps up for its ’21 season, Phelps revealed that number in an interview with SBJ Exec Editor & Publisher Abe Madkour. NASCAR had previously said it would have a reduced capacity for the race but had not given specifics.
Daytona seats about 101,000 in its frontstretch grandstand and also has room for thousands more in its campgrounds. The 500 is taking place one week after Super Bowl LV in Tampa, which will have about 22,000 fans on site at Raymond James Stadium.
Bristol Motor Speedway had crowds around that 30,000 figure last year and is expected to again for its dirt race in April. The races are among the largest U.S. gatherings that have taken place in sports and entertainment since the pandemic started, but motorsports venues are often far larger and more spread out than other stadiums.