For just the second time in the events’ 36-year history, NASCAR’s All-Star Race is being held at a track not named Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The series announced on Monday that due to COVID-19 spikes in the Charlotte area, it would be moving its All-Star event from the sport’s capital to Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee.
The only other time that NASCAR has held the event elsewhere was in 1986, when it was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway in just the second run at what has become a major date on the schedule.
“The NASCAR All-Star Race is an event known for making history, and we will enhance that legacy by hosting the event at Bristol Motor Speedway,” Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith said in a press release. “While Charlotte will always be recognized as the birthplace and traditional home for the All-Star Race, the current data surrounding the pandemic in North Carolina makes Bristol a better option for fan access this summer,” Smith added.
As NASCAR has returned to the track, the series has opened up its tracks on a very limited basis in the recent races run.
Homestead-Miami’s race featured 1,000 fans in the stands while Sunday’s event at Talladega is open to 5,000 race fans.
This year’s All-Star race will be open to up to 30,000.
“North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and state health officials have played a significant role in getting NASCAR back on track by allowing the race teams to go to work and allowing Charlotte Motor Speedway to host the Coca-Cola 600,” Smith said in the release. “Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Sullivan County officials have allowed for up to 30,000 fans at the All-Star Race in Bristol. We’re grateful for the continued support from both governors and all the state and local officials as we work with NASCAR to bring fans back to live sporting events.”
The 2020 All-Star Race will be ran on Wednesday, July 15 at Bristol with the action kicking off at 6:00 p.m. CT on Fox Sports 1.
Three drivers will qualify for the race as wildcards out of the All-Star Open along with one fan vote winner prior to the main event.
All-Star Qualified Drivers
1 – Kurt Busch
2 – Brad Keselowski
4 – Kevin Harvick
6 – Ryan Newman
9 – Chase Elliott
11 – Denny Hamlin
12 – Ryan Blaney
18 – Kyle Busch
19 – Martin Truex Jr.
20 – Erik Jones
22 – Joey Logano
42 – Matt Kenseth
48 – Jimmie Johnson
77 – Justin Haley
88 – Alex Bowman
