North Carolina has extended its stay-at-home order through May 8, the AP reports.
The announcement allows NASCAR race team employees to return to work at their race shops.
North Carolina Governor Cooper reiterated those workers need to maintain social distancing.
“From the information that I have now, already under our state executive order, they can begin working in their garages as an essential business, as defined under our executive order,” Cooper said, per the AP. ”(Teams) are still in contact with local health departments. Local governments may have some different health restrictions.”
Cooper also said he is considering NASCAR’s request to run the Coca-Cola 600 without spectators. The race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 24.
No announcement was made concerning the previous race weekend (May 15-16). That race weekend is scheduled to see the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series compete in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200. On May 16, the NASCAR Cup Series is set to race in the exhibition All-Star Open and All-Star Race.
Governor Cooper said a decision regarding the Memorial Day race weekend would be forthcoming soon.
“(Teams) are talking to local governments about how to run their garages and get cars ready,” he said. “We’ll have an announcement on that pretty soon after more conversations with public health and NASCAR officials.”
NASCAR has postponed all sanctioned events up to its race weekends at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Mark Kristl joined Frontstretch at the beginning of the 2019 NASCAR season. He is the site's ARCA Menards Series editor. Kristl is also an Eagle Scout and a proud University of Dayton alum.