More:Daytona 500 to be held with 'limited' fans in 2021 because of COVID-19 pandemic The last two NASCAR Cup races at Daytona the road course race in August and the regular-season finale a few . Fans will be screened before entering the venue and required to wear face coverings and observe at least 6 feet of social distancing. The Daytona International Speedway previously announced that all the grandstand tickets for the Sunday, Feb. 20 event were spoken for, but that now includes RV camping, fanzone and hospitality admissions. From the pageantry of our pre-race festivities to the rumble of 40 engines roaring around the high banks, its the biggest stage in motorsports.. The Daytona stands hold 101,500 spectators, per the Speedway website, but a specific capacity cap was not provided. He finished second in the Daytona 500 in 2017 and 2020 and won the 400-miler in August 2021. Daytona 500 fully sold out; race attendance could reach 150,000. Of course, the COVID-19 virus is still lingering around like a stubborn blemish that refuses to go away. As the pandemic rages on, individual tracks have reduced seating capacity, beginning with the season-opening Daytona 500. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. section: | slug: 2021-daytona-500-limited-fan-attendance-will-be-allowed-for-the-63rd-running-of-the-great-american-race | sport: nascar | route: article_single.us | DAYTONA SPEEDWEEKS: NASCAR motors on with one eye on road, another on the radar. Admittedly, we are going into this race blind. Even with low attendance, this will be the largest American sporting event since the coronavirus seized control of our lives, with people in attendance from across the country. The process is expected to be completed by early January. The NASCAR season-opening Clash race will be held on a temporary track built in the L.A. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season is steadily approaching. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). Daytona already revealed last month that the 101,000-seat grandstand was sold out, in what many in the industry said . The COVID-19 pandemic has led to empty stadiums and arenas throughout the sports world, while the 2020 NASCAR season featured many races without fans. Elliotts streak of consecutive Cup starts ends at 254 races. The superspeedway can hold over 101,000 people, which sets up the race to be the second-highest attended oval track racing event of the pandemic era behind last year's Indianapolis 500, which ran at 40% capacity with approximately 135,000 tickets sold. 6 min read. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. At Inter-Miami CF Stadium an hour north of the track, allotted attendance has hovered between 14% and 20% of the stadium's 18,000-seat capacity for soccer events in recent months. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "Hey! While the decision to limit the Daytona 500 attendance is likely to prove unpopular, the onset of COVID-19 has made it a necessity. However, Michael McDowell denied him a hat-trick in 2021. Hendrick Motorsports has scheduled a press conference for 12 p.m. -- McGee, Aric Almirola to win (+3500): Almirola probably feels overdue. Daytona International Speedway announced that the 2021 Daytona 500 will be run with a limited crowd because of the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. More:Daytona 500 to be held with 'limited' fans in 2021 because of COVID-19 pandemic. The speedway holds101,500 spectators, but officials announced in December there would be limited fans. The speedway has stopped selling grandstand tickets, but said that a limited number of premium-seating options remain available for purchase. The track also announced that tickets remained on sale for other events during Speedweeks. The sport began allowing limited fans as the year progressed, withan estimated 25,000 fans at the Coke Zero Sugar 400, which also takes place at Daytona. Reigning series champion Zane Smith, who won the season opener at Daytona, finished second. The Daytona 500 is one of the greatest spectacles in all of sports, and fans from all over the world converge in Daytona Beach to be a part of motorsports biggest day, track president Chip Wile said in the statement. Gary Gastelu is Fox News Digital's automotive editor. Or you might think he's a superstar. The last two NASCAR Cup races at Daytona the road course race in August and the regular-season finale a few weeks later hosted an estimated 10,000 and 25,000 fans, respectively. If Hamlin wins his fourth Daytona 500, he will move out of a tie with three other drivers (Jarrett, Jeff Gordon and Bobby Allison) for third place on the all-time victories list and into a tie for second with Cale Yarborough. Legal Statement. It took seven-time Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, Sr. 20 years to win, and is also where he tragically lost his life only three years later. Nemechek finished 31st. at The Kaulig Racing driver earned the pole with a lap of 183.119 mph. Follow along for updates from the 2021 Daytona 500 here. Sorry, NASCAR fans, if you don't have a ticket for this year's Daytona 500, you weren't quick enough. Berry, who drives for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, will be making his third career Cup start. That's because while NASCAR is back, so is COVID-19. The Daytona International Speedway has started hiring 2,500 people to work the marquee Daytona 500 and additional events planned for throughout the year. Like everything else, Daytona Speedweeks and the Great American Race are different this year. I agree to receive the "CBS Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. From the pageantry of our pre-race festivities to the rumble of 40 engines roaring around the high banks, it's the biggest stage in motorsports.". Safety policies include wearing masks in the facility except when seated, agreeing to undergo a health screening and temperature check and maintaining six feet of social distancing between parties. Grandstand tickets for the Daytona 500 run from around $100 to $400, but a variety of multi-day and experience packages were also offered. #BuschLightPole | #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/3hcaul572y. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. It's Tiffany Haddish!" Now, Hamlin will be aiming to win his fourth Daytona 500 but will face plenty of competition from several of his rivals. While we unfortunately won't be able to have everyone here with us in 2021, your support and passion will still be felt in February. Or perhaps you are currently reading this while dressed in your Chase Elliott pajamas and tucked into your Jimmie Johnson bed sheets. Many fans have sensibly decided to stay home. The 2021 Daytona 500 is expected to have about 30,000 fans in attendance at the Feb. 14 race. Kyle Larson is also listed in that group, but we're not counting him. "We're extremely happy to have our spring date moved back into March," LVMS president Chris Powell said in a statement at the time of NASCAR's 2021 schedule release. Elliott has finished in the top 10 in four of the past five races at the track, including a pair of runner-ups, and he's been a staple at the front of the field. Their low-register rumble is still audible miles from Daytona International Speedway. With the new variant plaguing the world, there are concerns about Daytona International Speedways attendance. Kyle Busch, who started on the pole, led 84 of 134 laps to win Friday nights NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. According to Yahoo! NASCAR Cup Series race number 1 of 37 Sunday, February 19, 2023 at Daytona . The track also confirmed that a re-seating process for fans who already have bought tickets will take place to ensure social distancing between groups. The 63rd running of the Daytona 500 is scheduled for Feb. 14. The track hosted roughly 22,000 fans for last year's All-Star Race and attendance appeared closer to its sold-out allotted 20% capacity (30,000 spectators) for the Cup race there in September. More:Dale Earnhardt, 20 years later: Share your memories, photos, videos of 'The Intimidator'. The 2022 Daytona 500 is of particular significance as it will mark the official debut of the all-new seventh generation NASCAR Cup Series car, which was tested at the track this week. Jonathan Ferrey/Stringer/Getty Images. "It's going to be the largest sporting event that happens in the United States since COVID hit . The move is thought to allow a greater number of fans to attend the event under Florida's less restrictive policies compared with Southern California, as well as minimize travel between states. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Problem was that when the Chevys tried to team up in the aerodynamic draft, their cool-looking pointy noses acted like a cow catcher on a train and punted cars out of the way instead of pushing them. What Nascar track holds the most fans? It is one of two Cup Series races held yearly at Daytona, with the second - a 400-mile event - as the regular-season finale in 2021. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. More:How to watch the 2021 Daytona 500 on TV, live stream. Dhruv has also conducted interviews with F1 Two years ago, Almirola had a car strong enough to win one of the 150-mile duels, but his 500 ended in heartbreak when he was taken out in a crash on Lap 15. Fans who purchased tickets are also able to defer orders to the 2022 Spring event (date TBA). 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Following the resumption of the 2020 season, Daytona played host to both the Go Bowling 235 (road course) and the Coke Zero Sugar 400 (oval) Cup Series races with limited attendance in August. All rights reserved. Christian Eckes finished third, giving him finishes of sixth or better in the first two races of the season. While we wont be able to have a capacity crowd here in February, we are excited that we can host the DAYTONA 500 with those in attendance, as well as for the millions who will tune in live on FOX. The Great American Race will once again have the aura and atmosphere that fans have come to know and love. Chase Elliott will open up his NASCAR Cup Series championship title defense and Denny Hamlin will try to go back to back at the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 14. The team did not state the exact nature of Elliotts injury or his status beyond this weekend. Gary Gastelu is Fox News Digital's automotive editor. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (The 1960 race, the second 500, had an official attendance of 38,775.). (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). Ryan Blaney to win (+1200): The Force is strong with this Star Wars fanatic, and by force I mean aero push. Fans at the Daytona 500 will mostly stay spread out in the grandstand, while all in attendance would also requirehealth screenings, temperature checks and face-coverings. To be precise, all spectators have to wear a mask if indoors. NASCAR has also already reconfigured its schedule once. 2021 Daytona 500 to have limited fans in attendance NASCAR will begin its 2021 season the way it ended 2020 - with limited fans in attendance. Are there any limits on the number of fans allowed to attend? or redistributed. ET and can also be watched on the Fox Sports app. The 1979 Daytona 500 saw Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison fight tooth-and-nail on the final lap, only to lose it to Petty after the two took each other out. The only real indication will come after the Busch Clash race at the LA Coliseum. However, fan attendance is still limited for the Cup race Feb 21. Obviously, the track authorities will try everything in their power to ensure a safe environment for all. And finally: Will it rain? Atlanta Motor Speedway has not released an official update on limited seating, but General Manager Brandon Hutchison said in a video released in December that the track expects to host fans in a "limited, socially distanced capacity" for the Cup race on March 21. we are excited that we can host the Daytona 500 with those in attendance, as well as for the millions who will tune in live on FOX." . Please logout and login again. Ben Rhodes placed third and was followed by Corey Heim and Ty Majeski. I have no idea if she is a car person, but she did graduate from El Camino Real High School. Face coverings are required no excuses, though enforcement will be problematic in the infield. The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season is steadily approaching. Hes spoken with several members of our team and is understandably disappointed to miss time in the car. Bristol Motor Speedway announced that the track had reached its socially-distanced grandstand capacity for its dirt race on March 28. 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