While the world awaits NASCAR’s decision on their upcoming schedule (UPDATE: NASCAR has opted to run the next two races at Atlanta and Homestead with no fans in the stands) in the wake of the COVID-19 virus pandemic that is spreading across the globe, many NASCAR teams have made the decision to close their doors to the public.
Joe Gibbs Racing was the first team that announced on Thursday, that effective immediately, their race shop will accept no visitors and is for employees only.
JGR is taking safety precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by temporarily closing our facility to visitors. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. pic.twitter.com/rSxA16QNYM
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) March 12, 2020
Following JGR’s announcement of closing their shop to the public, many other teams have followed suit. Leavine Family Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, Richard Childress Racing and Hendrick Motorsports have also closed their team facilities to the public.
It has been a whirlwind 24 hours for sports in the United States, and the country as a whole as President Donald Trump addressed the nation Wednesday evening about the Coronavirus.
The NBA has officially suspended their season after a Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz player tested positive for the virus. A fellow Jazz teammate Donovan Mitchell has since also tested positive for the virus.
The McLaren F1 team pulled out of the Australian Grand Prix as a member of the team has contracted COVID-19. In the wake of that news, Formula1 cancelled the entire event that was scheduled for this weekend.
IMSA has also announced that their race at Sebring, which was scheduled for this weekend, will be moved to November and will be the new 2020 season finale.
NASCAR is expected to decide it’s plan going forward at 1 PM ET, and IndyCar is expected to follow shortly after.
