Darlington can host fans at Labor Day race as SC OKs first wave of crowd exemptions
There will be fans in the stands at Darlington Raceway for this year’s Southern 500.
Darlington Raceway has been approved to have some spectators at next month’s race, the Department of Commerce confirmed Friday. Darlington will host an Xfinity race on Sept. 5 and then a doubleheader with truck race and then Southern 500 Cup Series race on Sept. 6. The request for fans was made only for the Southern 500.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster said last week announced that he is limiting stadiums, theaters and other venues to 250 people or 50% of the posted occupancy, whichever is less, during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Exceptions can be made but only through an approval process.
The Southern 500 was one of about 70 events approved this week by the SC Department of Commerce. The list includes such things as sports tournaments; Medieval Times restaurant and Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach; and graduations, concerts and other events at minor league baseball ballparks.
The University of South Carolina and Clemson University are expected to file for exemptions to host reduced-capacity crowds inside their sports venues starting this fall. Venues must “require the wearing of masks or face coverings as a condition of admission or participation,” according to the governor’s executive order.
Darlington Raceway has a capacity of 47,000, but the number of fans at the race will be considerably less than that.
“The full application and subsequent event exemption approval was based on 8,000 attendees,” a Department of Commerce spokesperson said. “It’s important to note that events of more than 250 attendees still adhere to 50% or less occupancy.”
A track spokesperson said Thursday it will announce formal plans for spectators early next week. The Southern 500 is the first race in NASCAR’s Cup Series playoffs.
Darlington posted a letter to its season ticket holders on its website. It is giving fans two options: to attend the race with their ticket likely being in a different spot; or fans can opt out if they choose not to attend.
“Once officially determined that fans are permitted, we are planning for solutions to safely host fans at Darlington Raceway. Based on current guidelines from medical professionals and public health officials, the safest way to host fans is most likely with a reduced seating capacity providing socially distanced seating.” a statement on the track’s website said.
Darlington Raceway was the site of NASCAR’s return in May when it hosted two Cup races and and Xfinity Series race in a four-day span.
NASCAR has let fans attend races since the sport returned. There were 20,000 fans at the All-Star race in Bristol and at Texas Motor Speedway. There were 12,000 fans at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last week.
“It is the responsibility of the host of the event to ensure that the event is held in a manner consistent with the law and the Governor’s Executive Order. SC Department of Commerce and DHEC cannot certify that there will be no exposure to or transmission of COVID-19 even if all safety protocols are taken and guidelines are enforced. To host and/or attend events during the COVID-19 pandemic is solely at your own risk,” the Department of Commerce wrote in a release to the approved events.
Approved events by Department of Commerce
| DATE | APPLICANT | EVENT |
Aug. 6 | Greer Dragway | Drag Race |
Aug. 7 | City of Myrtle Beach | Athletx/The Youth Baseball Nationals #4 |
Aug. 7 | Kingston Resort | Markiewicz International Heart of a Leader 2020 |
Aug. 7 | Devine Street Association | Devine Street Sidewalk Sale |
Aug. 7 | USA Softball of SC | USA Softball of SC Girls Fastpitch Softball Tournament |
Aug. 7 | South Carolina Motorplex | Friday & Saturday Test & Tune |
Aug. 7 | City of Rock Hill | Carolina Cardinals Late Summer Showcase |
Aug. 8 | Top Gun Sports | Battle for the Easton Advanced Ghosts Bats |
Aug. 8 | Medieval times dinner and tournament | Medieval Times |
Aug. 8 | Silver Drag Strip/Roller Racing | Dusty Grudge Fest & Birthday Bash |
Aug. 8 | Darlington Dragway | Fast/Flash Drag Race |
Aug. 8 | Big Shots Basketball | Myrtle Beach Finale |
Aug. 8 | Lexington County Recreation | USSSA Baseball All-Star Weekend |
Aug. 8 | Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission | Outdoor Movie Festival |
Aug. 8 | Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission | Baseball/Softball Tournament |
Aug. 8 | Kirkwood Community Progressive Org Inc | Kirkwood Summer Underground Basketball League |
Aug. 9 | Nu Planet Entertainment | Apple Chill Grudge Fest and Shoot Out |
Aug. 9 | City of Rock Hill | AAU World Championships |
Aug. 11 | Columbia Fireflies | Grey Collegiate High School Graduation |
Aug. 14 | City of Myrtle Beach | Baseball Youth All-American Games |
Aug. 14 | WALHALLA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY PRESENTS THE MUSIC OF PRINCE’S PURPLE RAIN |
Aug. 14 | City of Rock Hill | Phenom Summer Havoc |
Aug. 14 | Charleston Marriott | Hotel Event |
Aug. 15 | Greenville Triumph Soccer Club | Greenville Triumph home soccer matches |
Aug. 15 | South Carolina USSSA Baseball | Bring the Heat |
Aug. 15 | South Carolina Motorplex | DRAG RACING Saturday & Sunday |
Aug. 15 | City of Rock Hill | NSA Worlds Warm Up |
Aug. 15 | City of Loris | Recreation Softball Tournament |
Aug. 17 | Jubilee Conferences | Spring Jubilee |
Aug. 17 | Alabama Theatre | ONE The Show and limited Guest Artist performances |
Aug. 17 | The Karate Dojo | Carolina Martial Arts Open |
Aug. 21 | City of Rock Hill | Phenom Summer Finale |
Aug. 21 | USA Softball of SC | Girls Fastpitch Softball Tournament |
Aug. 22 | Free Times | 2020 Columbia Food and Wine Festival |
Aug. 22 | Free Times | 2020 Columbia Food and Wine Festival Dinner |
Aug. 22 | FSY Social Club | Regresa el Party |
Aug. 22 | Charleston Marriott | SC National Guard Yellow Ribbon |
Aug. 22 | City of Rock Hill | NSA One Day |
Aug. 22 | City of Rock Hill | CISC League Games |
Aug. 23 | Big Life Entertainment | Car & Bike Show |
Aug. 23 | Free Times | 2020 Columbia Food and Wine Festival Brunch |
Aug. 23 | Free Times | 2020 Columbia Food and Wine Festival Brunch |
Aug. 27 | Florence Center - Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce | Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Outlook Luncheon |
Aug. 28 | City of Rock Hill | Big Shots Rock the Rock |
Aug. 28 | FSY Social Club | Arriva El Norte |
Aug. 29 | SouthPaw Promotions | The Comeback |
Aug. 29 | City of Rock Hill | CISC League Games |
Sept. 4 | Showstopper, Inc | *Showstopper Dance Competition* |
Sept. 4 | Myrtle Beach Sports Center | National Youth Basketball League Crash Course |
Sept. 5 | Higher Heights EDU | Lemonade |
Sept. 6 | Darlington Raceway | Southern 500 NASCAR Cup Series Race |
Sept. 12 | Charleston Warfare MMA | Charleston Warfare MMA |
Sept. 12 | Florence Center | Repticon |
Sept. 13 | T3 Nonprofit Organization | Jazz & Jokes - Covid19 Relief |
Sept. 13 | Big Red Barn Retreat | Summer Jam |
Sept. 19 | Moore Farms Botanical Garden | MFBG Beerfest 2020 |
Sept. 19 | Myrtle Beach Sports Center | Big Shots Myrtle Beach Jam |
Sept. 25 | WENDELL’S DIPPIN BRANCH | UPCHURCH LIVE W/CARLY ROGERS & LEROY BIGGS @ WENDELL’S |
Sept. 27 | Florence Center - Community Broadcasters | SC Bridal Expo |
Oct. 2 | Charleston RiverDogs | Moja Concert |
Oct. 3 | Myrtle Beach Sports Center | Big Shots Fall Hoop Fest |
Oct. 3 | Charleston Music Hall | Director |
Oct. 3 | Columbia Fireflies | Oktoberfest at Segra Park |
Oct. 6 | Myrtle Beach Sports Center | Vintage Market Days of Coastal Carolina |
Oct. 10 | WENDELL’S DIPPIPN BRANCH | ASHLAND CFART LIVE @ WENDELL’S |
Oct. 18 | NS Promotions and Events | Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon |
Oct. 23 | NS Promotions and Events | Myrtle Beach Jeep Jam |
Dec. 5 | SC Farm Bureau Federation | South Carolina Farm Bureau Annual Meeting |
This story was originally published August 7, 2020 at 3:43 PM.
