Why McMaster backs smaller sports crowds, fans at Darlington Raceway during COVID-19
When NASCAR officials called S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster in the spring about the possibility of hosting the first races in the sport’s return, there wasn’t much hesitation.
“The answer was yes,” McMaster said.
McMaster gave the go-ahead for Darlington Raceway to host one of the first live sporting events since the coronavirus pandemic hit in March. The track hosted two Cup races and one Xfinity Series race between May 17 and May 20.
Those races took place without spectators in the stands. But a limited number of fans will be there when the Cook Out Southern 500 is held Sept. 6 at Darlington Raceway.
“We learned with the virus, we can’t eliminate all risks,” McMaster said Wednesday in a news conference at the governor’s mansion for the Cook Out Southern 500. “The plan Darlington turned in was a good one. We think it will work. The extent with how it works very well will have an effect on future events.”
There will be about 8,000 to 10,000 fans at Darlington’s Cup race Sept. 6, and they will be spaced out in the 47,000-seat facility. No fans will be allowed at the truck and Xfinity races hosted at Darlington.
Next month, Clemson and South Carolina are scheduled to begin hosting football games with fans. USC’s plan was approved (about 20,000 fans in an 80,250-seat venue); Clemson’s proposal is expected to be OK’d and announced in the coming days, with a similar reduced capacity.
The S.C. Independent Schools Association will begin their high school football season Friday with limited numbers of fans; S.C. public school football seasons are set to begin Sept. 25.
McMaster has been a big proponent for sports on every level being played in the state while other states’ leaders have either discouraged sports to be played at all, or to be played without fans.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf recommended that school sports in the state be postponed until Jan. 1 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association went against Wolf’s recommendation and will allow high school sports to be played this fall.
Several NFL teams have already announced they won’t be allowing fans when the professional season kicks off in two weeks.
McMaster announced this month that stadiums, theaters and other venues can host a maximum of 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 by the S.C. Department of Commerce.
As of Wednesday morning, Darlington Raceway was one of 320 events that have been approved for hosting crowds of more than 250.
“People want to have sports. They want to see the competition and want to see the athletes. It is a great thing for the schools, spectators and the state,” McMaster said. “South Carolina is a competitive place and people love sports. ... Sports are very important to South Carolina. Competition and excellence in all things is what we strive for, and sports is a perfect arena for that.”
Darlington Raceway president Kerry Tharp said he has been fortunate to have the support of McMaster and other state officials over the last few months. He said hosting an event with fans during COVID-19 is a challenge but believes NASCAR, which has had fans at many races since the return, has the right protocols in place.
Tharp said fans at Darlington Raceway will be screened and temperature checks will be given while entering.
Masks must be worn at all times while on the property. Tailgating is allowed but Tharp said “tailgate with those you came with.”
The Cook Out Southern 500 will be the first race in NASCAR’s Cup Series playoffs.
“Great opportunity but a big responsibility. We take it very seriously,” Tharp said. “To come back in May when the sports world for all intents and purposes had paused, and then to come back like that. I will never forget the moment when we dropped the flag May 17. It was emotional to come back and compete and have live sports. It was very surreal after the race when Kevin Harvick won the race and it was silent.
“... We are blessed to have to have some fans at this race. And the drivers love it. They want to hear those cheers and they missed that.”
This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 2:42 PM.
