Gov. Cooper Green Lights NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 In Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC — NASCAR's homecoming race, the Coca-Cola 600, is expected to take place at Charlotte Motor Speedway as planned Memorial Day weekend, Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday.

"I have had conversations with NASCAR officials and officials at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, and they have submitted plans that involve social distancing," Cooper said at a news conference. "Our public health officials— [NC Department of Health and Human Services] Secretary Mandy Cohen and State Health Director Betsy Tilson — have looked at them and made some suggestions, but will approve those," he said.

"We believe that unless health conditions go down, that we can have the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend in Charlotte," Cooper added. "I think that NASCAR will be making that announcement, but we believe that's what will happen."

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As of Tuesday morning, novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, had claimed the lives of at least 342 residents of North Carolina, NC Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday. The state has confirmed at least 9,568 people have tested positive for COVID-19, an increase of 426 cases since Monday.

The green light for the annual NASCAR race would mark the first major sporting event for North Carolina since statewide stay-at-home orders were put in place in March to help slow the spread of novel coronavirus. Last week, Cooper extended that order until May 8 despite growing pressure to end them in order to help state businesses and industries, including NASCAR.

In a recent letter, North Carolina Speaker of the House Tim Moore urged Cooper to modify current executive orders to allow the Charlotte Motor Speedway to hold NASCAR races without fans Memorial Day weekend in late May.

"NASCAR has affirmed its intention to return to racing in May, and the Coca-Cola 600 offers an excellent opportunity to host a historic event in our state while prioritizing health and public safety by holding the race without fans," Moore said. Holding the races in late May would benefit the state's motorsports industry and "mark a rebeginning for North Carolina's tourism, entertainment, and service industries that are desperate to open for business," he said.

The Coca-Cola 600 is one of several races NASCAR is aiming for in May. Monday, NASCAR released a proposed schedule for teams that included races on May 17 and May 20 at Darlington Speedway in South Carolina, the Associated Press reported.

The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is currently scheduled for May 24, with a second race on May 27, AP said.

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