Racing is back!

From NASCAR to Monster Energy Supercross, racing is back beginning this weekend and you get to be involved from home!

The long wait is over. Live sports are back and they are coming back with racing in two forms, NASCAR and Monster Energy Supercross.

Monster Energy Supercross

“We are thrilled to be a part of sports being the first to come back and to give the fans a little light in these tough times, ” said Dave Prater, Senior Director Operations – Two Wheel, Feld Entertainment.

Monster Energy Supercross will resume racing at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 31 and will run through June 21. The final seven, made-for-tv races will be broadcast on NBC networks without fans in attendance. The Utah Sports Commission, a longtime partner of Supercross, has coordinated our return to Utah.

Expect the racing to be hotly contested. In seasons past, if a rider had a bad day, they would finish the best they could gathering as many points as possible, but with the ultimatum now that if the season cancels short again and the overall points leader would be crowned champion, tough racing is almost a certainty.

“We have plan b’s for every scenario we may face as we find our footing in this new normal, however, if we end the season short again, that would be the end of our season,” Prater added. “The logistics of getting these final seven races contested have consumed all of our time since the race was cancelled in Indianapolis and to try and find a way to extend the season should a scenario arise where we have to shut down for any reason would be next to impossible.”

The sports industry in the United States, like virtually all industries, is being severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Monster Energy Supercross fuels an entire industry and is the primary source of income for thousands, including competitors. With no events, the industry is in severe economic peril. It’s important to the economic infrastructure to get back-to-work. Unlike other professional sports with guaranteed contracts, Supercross athletes, team personnel and many others involved in event and television production are independent contractors.   

“We’re excited to continue our work with Feld Entertainment, Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah, and the Utah Department of Health Services. Their continued support along with Utah’s Governor Gary R. Herbert, have made it possible for Supercross’ return to Utah,” said Jeff Robbins, President and CEO, Utah Sports Commission. “We also look forward to showcasing Utah worldwide via Supercross’ global footprint.” 

The responsible return to racing will provide guidelines and protocols to competitors and essential staff that complies with all federal, state and local health guidance and mandates. Mitigation efforts include mandated prescreening, testing, temperature checks, face masks, increased sanitation efforts and social distancing to limit contact among individuals executing the events.The stadium will assist with the implementation and execution of our plan. Supercross, in partnership with the Alpinestars Medical Unit, has a trained medical team of 7 professionals to assist on site. The racing format has been adjusted to reduce the number of athletes to stay within the minimum requirements and a standard race format will be used for all seven rounds, except for the finale which will be an Eastern/Western Regional 250SX Class Showdown.       

Supercross Race Format for Final Seven Rounds: 

• 450SX Class – 40 Riders based on current point standings and 2020 top 100 number or combined season qualifying results 
• 250SX Class – 40 Riders based on current point standings and 2020 top 100 number or combined season qualifying results

• Two qualifying sessions will be held for gate pick 
• 250SX Class – Two Heat Races and a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ)
• 450SX Class – Two Heat Races and a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) 
• 250SX Class Main Event
• 450SX Class Main Event 

 In the final seven races, three champions will be crowned – one in the 450SX Class and two in the 250SX Eastern and Western Regional Classes. It is the hope of the series that the final seven races will start to bring some normalcy to race fans by creating memorable experiences through the live television broadcast that continue to bring people together via a shared experience while also uplifting the human spirit, as all forms of sport do.  

Supercross athletes have little to no contact as riders race solo against other competitors and wear several protective elements – full-face helmets that cover the mouth, goggles, gloves, jerseys and pants that leave little to no skin exposed, plus fully secured knee-high boots. 

Supercross partners Oakley, Toyota and VP Racing Fuels have been lending their expertise to the medical community and first responders by developing and mass-producing protective shields, eyewear and hand sanitizer. This type of expertise that exists within the industry, coupled with Utah’s leadership and Feld Entertainment’s live event experience will all factor in to helping the industry get back to racing while aiding in the recovery and healing process nationwide. 

NASCAR

NASCAR, per press release, will return to racing on May 17, which will kick off a slate of races that includes seven events in three series at two race tracks – Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The NASCAR Cup Series will return to Darlington Raceway on Sunday, May 17, with a 400-mile event scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, live on FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

The NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series will each host its first on-track event since mid-March.

Each of NASCAR’s return events will be run without fans in attendance. Further schedule adjustments will be announced in the future.

Following thorough collaboration with public health officials, medical experts and state and federal officials, NASCAR has implemented a comprehensive health and safety plan. In accordance with CDC, OSHA and state and local government recommendations, nearly every aspect of how the event is conducted will be significantly modified, including:

• One-day shows;
• Mandated use of personal protective equipment throughout the event;
• Health screenings for all individuals prior to entering the facility, while inside the facility and exiting the facility;
• Social distancing protocols throughout the event;
• Strict limits on the number of individuals who are granted access into each facility

As NASCAR works towards the execution of these events, the sanctioning body will continue to work with state and local authorities based on trends and local restrictions.

In-race competition procedures remain largely unchanged, though NASCAR will eliminate practice for all events during this opening return slate, as well as qualifying for all events except the Coca-Cola 600.

Despite not being in the stands, Busch beer has found a surprising way to give die-hard supporters unprecedented ‘access’ to mark the highly-anticipated return of live, on-track action.

Introducing Busch’s #YourFaceHere #BuschContest – where ten lucky fans will have their face prominently featured on Kevin Harvick’s #4 Busch Light car during the NASCAR Cup Series Race at Charlotte this May. Because while you currently cannot be at the race….your face can! In addition to the paint scheme spot, winners will also receive a pair of tickets to attend a 2021 NASCAR race. @Buschbeer’s announcement tweet linked here.

Starting now through May 17, consumers can Tweet a picture of themselves with a Busch Light logo using#YourFaceHere and #BuschContest to enter for a chance to be one of ten fans to have a photo of their face featured on Harvick’s No. 4 paint scheme for millions of viewers to see as his car roars around the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27, and win tickets to a 2021 race of their choice.