DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — NASCAR is set to allow fans back at the track for races this month at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

NASCAR will allow up to 1,000 Florida service members, representing the Homestead Air Reserve Base and U.S. Southern Command in Doral, to attend the Cup Series race this Sunday as honorary guests and view the race from the grandstands.

Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama will allow up to 5,000 guests in the frontstretch grandstands/towers for the June 21 Cup race. There will be 44 motorhome and camping spots available outside the track.

NASCAR said all fans will be screened before entering, required to wear face coverings, mandated to social distance at six feet, and will not have access to the infield, among other revised operational protocols.

NASCAR returned to racing in mid-May, but has not allowed fans inside the tracks in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.

“We have tremendous respect and appreciation for the responsibility that comes with integrating guests back into our events,” said Daryl Wolfe, NASCAR executive vice president and chief sales and operations officer. “We believe implementing this methodical process is an important step forward for the sport and the future of live sporting events. The passion and unwavering support of our industry and fans is the reason we race each weekend and we look forward to slowly and responsibly welcoming them back at select events.”

Talladega Superspeedway President Brian Crichton said in a release that the track’s large size — it has the capacity to seat up to 175,000, and about 80,000 in the main grandstand — will easily allow it to observe social distancing protocols with a small number of fans.

“Our frontstretch grandstands and towers are massive, measuring an incredible eight tenths of a mile long,” Crichton said. “That provides us ample room to be able to welcome race fans back with plenty of safe distancing between guests. NASCAR and the track staff will continue to work with health and government officials, and be ready to provide a safe experience for the NASCAR fans in attendance.”

Tickets at Talladega will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to fans who purchased tickets or reserved camping for the originally scheduled GEICO 500 on April 26 and live within 150 miles of the track in Central Alabama. Vicksburg is 325 miles from the track.

The geographical limitations are being implemented to limit travel and reduce risk.
Fans should visit talladegasuperspeedway.com/return or call 877-Go2-DEGA for full details.

“We have a great respect for the responsibility that hosting fans brings, and it’s an honor for Talladega Superspeedway to be one of the first sports facilities to bring fans back to the race track,” added Crichton.

Talladega will host three races the weekend of June 20-21. On Saturday afternoon, the ARCA Menard’s Series will run its General Tire 200 at 1 p.m. and then the NASCAR Xfinity Series will conclude a doubleheader with a 300-mile race at 4:30. The Cup Series race is Sunday at 2 p.m.

Fans will only be allowed to attend the Cup Series race.

Fans who originally bought tickets for the April weekend will have the opportunity to purchase their original order for the 2021 Talladega spring weekend, the track said.