McMaster’s message to NASCAR after pandemic absence: We’re glad you’re in Darlington
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster helped welcome NASCAR back to the track on Sunday in its first Cup Series race since the coronavirus pandemic shut the sports world down back in March.
“Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of five million proud South Carolinians, we are delighted you are in Darlington,” McMaster said in a taped message that played during a virtual drivers’ meeting prior to the start of Sunday’s Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway. “I wish I could be there. My wife, Peggy, and I love it.”
Drivers’ meetings are typically held in person, a couple of hours before the start of a race — a chance for NASCAR officials to go over rules and protocol, and for celebrities or dignitaries to deliver additional remarks.
But because of social distancing practices in place to control the spread of COVID-19, NASCAR drivers on Sunday were required to go directly from their motor homes to their cars and the entire event was closed to spectators.
Kevin Harvick won the race for his 50th career victory and second at Darlington Raceway.
McMaster, a regular attendee of races at Darlington, was a big proponent of having the track host NASCAR’s return to racing.
In addition to Sunday’s race, there will be an Xfinity race on Tuesday and another Cup race on Wednesday at the track dubbed, “Too Tough to Tame.” All of these races will be made-for-TV events with fans allowed in the stands.
“It is the total excitement of the Lady in Black, the track Too Tough to Tame, all those things,” McMaster said Sunday. “It is a wonderful event and we wish you well.”
This week, Darlington Raceway president Kerry Tharp spoke highly of McMaster and his role in helping the track host races.
“To know the state of South Carolina is at the forefront of bringing sports back to our country is a testament to the state and fact the state is kind of banding together to bring live sports to our country,” said Tharp, a former University of South Carolina sports information director, before the start of the Sunday afternoon race. “The sports world and all of the world has been put on pause. We are planning to hit the reset button Sunday at 3:30 p.m.”
South Carolina was one of the first states in the country to cancel mandatory stay-at-home and work-from-home orders and begin reopening parts of the local economy.
Last week, restaurants in South Carolina opened for limited dine-in service so long as they operate at 50% occupancy and tables are positioned six to eight feet apart.
On Monday, close-contact businesses in the state, including hair salons, tattoo parlors, nail salons, gyms and pools, will be allowed to re-open.
There are some risks associated with reopening South Carolina’s economy as confirmed coronavirus cases persist, and state officials — including McMaster — admit they are concerned that many residents are starting to gather in groups without wearing face masks.
Other sports leagues will be watching to see how things go in Darlington as they mull their own comebacks after extended absences due to the pandemic. The PGA Tour is planning to comeback next month, with one of the stops at Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island.
In the meantime, Tharp is optimistic that NASCAR fans will be allowed to attend the fall race weekend in some capacity, with these races at Darlington until then giving sports-starved fans some return to normalcy.
“I think it is a big deal for the state, the sport and the community,” said Tharp. “I talked to a lot of people in the community. I know they want to come, but that is not where we are in society right now. They are proud that Darlington is the site chosen to come back racing. When you stop and think about it, it is appropriate since it has so much tradition. For the sport to restart at a place like this is fitting. It is a great opportunity for us and we intend to make the best of it.”
This story was originally published May 17, 2020 at 3:13 PM.
