NASCAR updates at-track COVID protocols starting at Texas

Beginning with the Texas All-Star Race weekend in June, NASCAR will implement an expansion of guest access to the competition footprint and discontinue a number of pandemic-related operating restrictions.

Some facets of our operations introduced in the last year will be retained:
- Guest access to the garage and pit road will be expanded significantly but kept at a level below the pre-pandemic numbers
- Access to the starting grid will be restricted to a smaller number of VIP guests
- Competitors and designated vendors will continue using the roster system
- Virtual driver / crew chief meetings will remain through the end of the 2021 season
- Initial garage entry for competitors will be directed by assistant series directors
- Mandatory reporting requirements associated with COVID infections and exposures remain in effect
- Unvaccinated industry members will be required to wear masks while indoors

Many aspects of the COVID operating protocols will be suspended starting with the Texas All-Star event weekend:
- Pre-entry screening, including the health questionnaire, will be discontinued
- Vendor access to the garages will be restored
- Spotters may access both the infield and the perimeter areas, and participants using the driver / owner coach lot may bring properly credentialed guests into the D/O lot
- Garage operations will largely return to pre-COVID norms
- Pre-race activities will more closely resemble their pre-COVID forms
State and local conditions may require reduced access at future events; NASCAR will communicate those changes well in advance of the affected event weekend.
Getting the fully vaccinated rate within our industry above the 70% threshold remains critical to reducing the potential impact of the virus on NASCAR events. NASCAR PR