Track had 3,500 fans last Saturday and increased crowd size to over 6,000 on Sunday for Cup raceGetty Images
Charlotte Motor Speedway GM Greg Walter summed up the race track's first weekend with NASCAR fans back in the stands by "praising the Covid-era crowd management plans," according to Erik Spanberg of the CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL. The same three Ws -- wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart, wash hands or sanitize them -- "preached by local and state health officials were also the foundation of the track's approach" this past weekend. Walter attended the Cardinals-Panthers game at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 4, "touring the venue with team executives and gleaning insight on ensuring and enforcing enhanced health precautions." The speedway had 3,500 fans for racing last Saturday and increased the crowd size to over 6,000 on Sunday for the Cup series event. Walter said that one adjustment made last weekend was "moving more senior-level people to areas of potential pedestrian congestion so that alternate policies could be quickly implemented if needed." Walter: "We needed senior folks there to be able to call an audible. The power of having good leadership in critical points was essential for success." He said fans "were very compliant" in wearing face coverings. Walter: "We really didn't have any issues" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/15).
