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This page offers all of Delaware Public Media's ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak and how it is affecting the First State. Check here regularly for the latest new and information.

Dover's May NASCAR weekend postponed by novel coronavirus concerns

Delaware Public Media
/
Delaware Public Media

One of the state’s marquee sporting events is among those falling by the wayside amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

 

NASACR announced Thursday it is postponing all races through May 3 – based on CDC guidance that no events drawing crowds of 50 or more should be held through mid-May.

 

That includes this year’s first NASCAR race weekend at Dover International Speedway - scheduled for May 1 through 3.   

 

The Monster Mile’s president and CEO Mike Tatoian fully supports the decision.

 

As much as a bummer as it is all of us, it is such a small thing in comparison to what we are trying to accomplish as a whole world," said Tatoian. "So, we’ll hunker down and we’ll prepare for when that race will be re-posted and hopefully we’ll find that out here shortly.”

 

NASCAR is committed to rescheduling all postponed races.  Tatoian says the only restriction Dover has to finding a new date is that the facility does have lights and cannot race at night.

 

Tatoian adds that he realizes the decision is a hardship for fans and local businesses.

"Nobody in the world is going to be able to come out whole – so to speak. It’s just a matter of how we mitigate the challenges that we’re all facing," said Tatoian. "So I feel confident that we’ll arrive at someplace that will be as good a situation [as possible], given the virus that we’re dealing with.

And Tatoian says Dover International Speedway hopes to announce soon what options ticketholders will have for the postponed race weekend

 

"As it relates to refunds or credit or exchanges, we’re going to be extremely accommodating to everyone that made that commitment to us," said Tatoian.

 

NASCAR has a second race weekend in Dover scheduled for August 21 through 23.

Tom Byrne has been a fixture covering news in Delaware for three decades. He joined Delaware Public Media in 2010 as our first news director and has guided the news team ever since. When he's not covering the news, he can be found reading history or pursuing his love of all things athletic.