The Attendance Thread

[rowdy3]

Bristol removed more seats on the backstretch as they removed every other row.

 

[Hotrod]

Champioship weekend 2020

"As NASCAR returns to the Valley of the Sun for NASCAR Championship Weekend, November 6-8, Phoenix Raceway will host a limited, reduced number of fans throughout the three-day event. The limited number of fans permitted each of the three days is in accordance with guidance and approvals from local officials pursuant to Executive Order 2020-43 and enhanced safety protocols and procedures to provide a safe experience. "

https://azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/eo_2020-43_sw.pdf

 

[rowdy3]

According to Adam stern the 500 may be limited to 20% capacity.

 

[rowdy3]

According to DBNJ 25k attended yesterday. Find that hard to believe since the seats in turn 4 to the entrance of pit road were closed.

 

[aunty dive]

NASCAR races are made for TV events until further notice.

The cardboard cutouts make that pretty clear.

 

[DIDIT]

According to DBNJ 25k attended yesterday. Find that hard to believe since the seats in turn 4 to the entrance of pit road were closed.

I was there and 25k seems a bit high, but not unreasonable. There were also some folks in the infield.

 

[donthaveanickname]

The grandstands are starting to look like in 2019 again.

 

[DanicaFreak]

Whose in attendance?

 

[ChexOrWrex]

NASCAR races are made for TV events until further notice.

The cardboard cutouts make that pretty clear.

Not 100%. It’s also been made clear that limited capacity with safety guidelines is working fine. There havent been outbreaks from sporting events with these policies, and NASCAR set that precedent. They deserve applause and commendation.

 

[Spotter22]

Capacity limits at Pocono Raceway increased to 50 percent – Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site

www.jayski.com

 

[aunty dive]

Not 100%. It’s also been made clear that limited capacity with safety guidelines is working fine. There havent been outbreaks from sporting events with these policies, and NASCAR set that precedent. They deserve applause and commendation.

I agree completely. They’ve done a great job.

More people and the sooner the better. Having said that, the cardboard fans in the stands are a necessary evil ... they make it look normal from over there.

 

[Mispeedway15]

Sports in general need fans in the stands. Especially pro/college sports. So much of the buzz and hype of a team is that they’re hosting a major event with tens of thousands of people in a city. You take that away, it kills the hype and makes it a TV show

 

[KodiakRusty89]

Thrilled to see Pocono go to 50%! That will be a major boost to the track and the local economy! 75% would probably get everyone that wants to go in. See if we get there over the course of the next 90 days or so...

 

[Efisher131]

Thrilled to see Pocono go to 50%! That will be a major boost to the track and the local economy! 75% would probably get everyone that wants to go in. See if we get there over the course of the next 90 days or so...

I won't go to Pocono with the neutered engine package since it made a bad race even worse, but it is nice to see them opening up a bit more.

 

[Spotter22]

I agree completely. They’ve done a great job.

More people and the sooner the better. Having said that, the cardboard fans in the stands are a necessary evil ... they make it look normal from over there.

Would have loved to have gotten that printing contract.

 

[Cholo]

I think by summer NASCAR should be at full capacity allowed.

 

[Speedbowl14]

I think by summer NASCAR should be at full capacity allowed.

Unfortunately it's going to be a politics game. Watkins Glen? They'd be lucky to get any fans in there. Texas Motor Speedway? Biggest crowd in 10 years.

 

[KodiakRusty89]

I won't go to Pocono with the neutered engine package since it made a bad race even worse, but it is nice to see them opening up a bit more.

These "packages" have done Michigan and Pocono no favors. With that said, if NSACAR stays out of the picture the final segment, Pocono usually has an interesting ending due to strategy and guys making up/losing track position.

Michigan and Pocono should be about speed and yes a bit of danger like Talladega and Daytona! Give them the horses to haul ass down the straights!

 

[StewartHaas-Gibbs Racing]

I won't go to Pocono with the neutered engine package since it made a bad race even worse, but it is nice to see them opening up a bit more.

I wouldn't go to Pocono to watch a race again even if you gave me free tickets and had a limo pick me up and drop me off. I've been to a good chunk of tracks and Pocono is right up there with Indy in being places I'll never go to again cause was watching a race there is horrible.

Even in the higher rows of Pocono you still see so little of the actual race, especially if the infield is full with rvs.

 

[StewartHaas-Gibbs Racing]

I think by summer NASCAR should be at full capacity allowed.

UFC is running a 100% capacity event next month in Jacksonville so if that runs smoothly capacity for NASCAR in some states will probably be close to 100% again.

 

[Mispeedway15]

These "packages" have done Michigan and Pocono no favors. With that said, if NSACAR stays out of the picture the final segment, Pocono usually has an interesting ending due to strategy and guys making up/losing track position.

Michigan and Pocono should be about speed and yes a bit of danger like Talladega and Daytona! Give them the horses to haul ass down the straights!

Meh as the foremost expert in all things Michigan Int'l Speedway here, the racing wasn't that great here before. The speed into Turn 1 was awesome sauce, but needing a draft down the straights is the key to good racing there which is why it's designed the way it was. People forget the Midwest/Northeast was Indycar country for many decades (hence why Sprint Cars are so popular here) so places like Kentucky, Chicago and Michigan were all designed to support that.

If anything last years race here was one of the best I've seen because it lent itself to closer racing which is the key to Michigan being a great track as it is probably the easiest to drive ability wise.

 

[Spotter22]

NASCAR leads the way again

NASCAR to use COVID-detecting dogs at Atlanta – Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site

www.jayski.com

 

[StewartHaas-Gibbs Racing]

NASCAR leads the way again

NASCAR to use COVID-detecting dogs at Atlanta – Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site

www.jayski.com

Miami Heat in the NBA were already using this...

Miami Heat lets dogs out to screen fans for Covid-19 -- but what does the science say? | CNN

As AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami reopens to a limited number of fans Thursday, the Miami Heat is bringing out dogs it is billing as "coronavirus detection dogs" to screen guests. The science isn't yet clear whether dogs can, in fact, detect coronavirus infection in people.

www.cnn.com

 

[Efisher131]

I wouldn't go to Pocono to watch a race again even if you gave me free tickets and had a limo pick me up and drop me off. I've been to a good chunk of tracks and Pocono is right up there with Indy in being places I'll never go to again cause was watching a race there is horrible.

Even in the higher rows of Pocono you still see so little of the actual race, especially if the infield is full with rvs.

I've been to 14 Pocono races from 1999-2018. I will not go back again until this barn door dragging, no balls having package is gone

 

[Spotter22]

Miami Heat in the NBA were already using this...

Miami Heat lets dogs out to screen fans for Covid-19 -- but what does the science say? | CNN

As AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami reopens to a limited number of fans Thursday, the Miami Heat is bringing out dogs it is billing as "coronavirus detection dogs" to screen guests. The science isn't yet clear whether dogs can, in fact, detect coronavirus infection in people.

www.cnn.com

Cool. I didnt know that.

 

[StandOnIt]

 

[KodiakRusty89]

Meh as the foremost expert in all things Michigan Int'l Speedway here, the racing wasn't that great here before. The speed into Turn 1 was awesome sauce, but needing a draft down the straights is the key to good racing there which is why it's designed the way it was. People forget the Midwest/Northeast was Indycar country for many decades (hence why Sprint Cars are so popular here) so places like Kentucky, Chicago and Michigan were all designed to support that.

If anything last years race here was one of the best I've seen because it lent itself to closer racing which is the key to Michigan being a great track as it is probably the easiest to drive ability wise.

Michigan and Pocono (especially Pocono's 500 miles) use to be an engine/transmission builder's nightmare. When mechanical attrition was a big factor to the outcome of races fans/drivers/crews always had to sit on the edge of your seat and hope. Strategy always was a significant factor too. Michigan, even back in the day, rarely had cautions so qualifying and pit strategy were huge. As was battling the scorching June and August sun. Two of the hottest races I've been to (been to over a 100 cup races) were at Michigan in August.

I'm a big Michigan fan. "Pure Speed".....

 

[KodiakRusty89]

I've been to 14 Pocono races from 1999-2018. I will not go back again until this barn door dragging, no balls having package is gone

NASCAR needs to just get out of the way. I've been going since 1988 (Bobby Allison's crash, I was 5) and haven't missed a year except 2020. Just too close to miss and I love its grassroots, unique identity as a facility.

Since I was denied entrance into Martinsville and lost Kentucky for good, Pocono (both days) might be the only race(s) I attend this year. TBD.....

 

[Spotter22]

NASCAR needs to just get out of the way. I've been going since 1988 (Bobby Allison's crash, I was 5) and haven't missed a year except 2020. Just too close to miss and I love its grassroots, unique identity as a facility.

Since I was denied entrance into Martinsville and lost Kentucky for good, Pocono (both days) might be the only race(s) I attend this year. TBD.....

What do you mean "get out of the way"?

 

[Daytripper]

Unfortunately it's going to be a politics game. Watkins Glen? They'd be lucky to get any fans in there. Texas Motor Speedway? Biggest crowd in 10 years.

Why not fans at the glen? NYS is allowing fans into nhl and nba games indoors so why wouldn't they allow fans outdoors at Watkins glen?

 

[Efisher131]

Why not fans at the glen? NYS is allowing fans into nhl and nba games indoors so why wouldn't they allow fans outdoors at Watkins glen?

Because Cuomo.

 

[Speedbowl14]

Because Cuomo.

IDK...he's dialed back restrictions somewhat. But he wouldn't allow NASCAR in back in August even without fans. No fans at any NY racetrack last year, several got shutdown by the state (one did stay open somehow with fans the whole season...rumor is the local law would not go and shut them down if they behaved which they did).

 

[ChexOrWrex]

As of February 23, New York professional sports venues can open with limited fan attendance.

Specifically, in order to re-open venues to professional sports, sites must:

• Obtain DOH approval for both venues and events
• Institute a 10 percent capacity limit in arenas and stadiums
• Ensure all staff and spectators receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of the event
• Mandate face coverings, social distancing and temperature checks for all those in attendance
• Mandate assigned, socially distanced seating
• Collect contact information from all those in attendance to help inform contact tracing efforts
• Meet enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards
• Ensure retail, food services and athletic activities abide by all state-issued guidance

Governor Cuomo Announces Sports and Entertainment Events in Major Stadiums and Arenas Can Reopen with Limited Spectators Beginning February 23

Governor Cuomo announced that, building off of the successful Buffalo Bills pilot program, sports and entertainment events in major stadiums and arenas with a capacity of 10,000 or more people can re-open with limited spectators beginning February 23.

www.governor.ny.gov

 

[DIDIT]

UFC is running a 100% capacity event next month in Jacksonville so if that runs smoothly capacity for NASCAR in some states will probably be close to 100% again.

Kudos to Florida. One of the few states that has effectively handled this situation and still staying above the national average in cases.

 

[Old Kid]

Because Cuomo.

He'd better lighten up. He needs all the friends he can get right now.

 

[Efisher131]

IDK...he's dialed back restrictions somewhat. But he wouldn't allow NASCAR in back in August even without fans. No fans at any NY racetrack last year, several got shutdown by the state (one did stay open somehow with fans the whole season...rumor is the local law would not go and shut them down if they behaved which they did).

Yeah you're referring to Bethel. They were able to race with fans while Orange County 25 minutes down the road wasn't even allowed to have drive in attendance and got shut down after 4 or 5 races of that. Fonda was in the same boat. Weird stuff.

 

[StandOnIt]

Kudos to Florida. One of the few states that has effectively handled this situation and still staying above the national average in cases.

Florida is average and that isn't something to brag about

U.S. COVID death rate by state 2023 | Statista

As of January 2023, Arizona had the highest COVID death rate in the U.S., with 444 deaths per 100,000 population. Hawaii had the lowest death rate.

www.statista.com

 

[Old Kid]

Florida is average and that isn't something to brag about

U.S. COVID death rate by state 2023 | Statista

As of January 2023, Arizona had the highest COVID death rate in the U.S., with 444 deaths per 100,000 population. Hawaii had the lowest death rate.

www.statista.com

Yet New York shut down everything and has the second highest death rate. Also remember Florida has a higher average age of population than most places.

 

[StandOnIt]

Yet New York shut down everything and has the second highest death rate. Also remember Florida has a higher average age of population than most places.

There isn't anybody bragging about how great New York did every chance they got.

 

[Old Kid]

There isn't anybody bragging about how great New York did every chance they got.

Nobody said they were bragging about it (except for Cuomo and his lap dogs) and that was hardly my point