The coronavirus pandemic has shelved the CARS Tour Throwback weekend at Hickory Motor Speedway.
The annual event highlighted by retro paint schemes and apparel has quickly become one of the most anticipated short track events of the season, selling out the Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars in each of the past four years, but will not be able to take place until it becomes safe to do so.
The CARS Tour will return to Hickory on August 1 but for a pair of ordinary 125 lap races for both the Super Late Model and Late Model Stock divisions.
It wouldn’t be fair to fans or competitors to run the Throwback 276 in front of empty grandstands — an increasing possibility with restrictions again increasing across the country.
“We thought long and hard about all the possibilities, but with the uncertainty that lies ahead surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina, we felt like this was the smartest decision,” said CARS Tour Series Director Chris Ragle. “Part of what makes the Throwback 276 special are the chances fans have to meet legendary drivers, see the throwback paint schemes, and share the history of the sport with a sellout crowd at a historic track like Hickory. With all the restrictions in place across North Carolina, it would be difficult to offer the full Throwback 276 experience to fans and make it a successful event.”
The CARS Tour made its first visit of the season to Hickory on June 13, which featured two races in front of empty grandstands.
“We are hopeful that by August 1, we will be able to have fans at the race track again in some capacity,” said Ragle. “We may not have a sellout crowd, but if we can have some fans at the race track to put on a show for, that is a step back towards normal.”
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