Fans will soon be allowed to occupy the grandstands at Tennessee’s race tracks
The wait for racing action that has been endured by fans in Tennessee since early March looks to be coming to an end. On Friday(May 15), Governor Bill Lee announced that restrictions that have called for lower capacity at restaurants and the closure of movie theaters across the Volunteer State will be lifted late next week.
Race tracks are included in the attractions that will be allowed to once again open their gates to the public as early as May 22 according to the governor’s statement.
Tennessee, like most other states, enacted measures to help slow the spread of the cornoavirus in March. Since that time many business regarded as non-essential have either been closed or significantly limited in their ability to operate.
No race track in Tennessee has held an official event for the past eight weeks. Boyd’s Speedway, which is located just across the state line in Georgia, has raced within that time frame and 411 Motor Speedway is scheduled to contest a Super Late Model show with no fans in attendance on Saturday(May 16).
According to Lee’s office, 89 of Tennessee’s 95 counties will fall under the plan. Hamilton, Knox, Davidson, Shelby, Sullivan and Madison counties have their own health departments and will determine their own policies.
“Tennesseans have worked incredibly hard to do their part and help slow the spread of COVID-19 so that our state can begin to reopen,” the governor said in a statement. “Thanks to their continued efforts, we’re able to allow restaurants and retail businesses to operate at greater capacity and large attractions to open in a safe and thoughtful way.”
Businesses that re-open are asked to follow Lee’s ‘Tennessee Pledge’ guidelines, such as continued social distancing and the wearing of masks in public places, meant to keep customers and employees safe. However, those guidelines are considered to be voluntary.
The new Large Attractions guidance applies to those businesses that can effectively practice social distancing with strong measures to protect both employees and customers, including racetracks, amusement parks, waterparks, theaters and dinner theaters, auditoriums, large museums and more. Restrictions on social gatherings of more than 10 people remain in place for the time being. Updates to restaurant guidance will include a lift on capacity restrictions, allowing for increased service as long as social distancing guidelines are adhered to, including 6 feet between tables.
Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tenn. has an American Crate All-Stars and Topless Outlaws Late Model Series race set for May 23rd. Track officials will no doubt be offering details regarding that event very soon as will other tracks in Tennessee.
The roar of racing engines is about to be heard again in the Volunteer State.
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