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On Sunday, fans had actual live television broadcasts of NASCAR and golf instead of video game simulations, prior years’ tournaments or re-runs. While the golf technically didn’t count, it raised $5 million for COVID-19 relief organizations. And the race officially re-started NASCAR competition, while honoring frontline workers.
“That’s the sound race fans have been waiting for 10 weeks to hear,” Fox Sports announcer Mike Joy said during the telecast as race car engines roared across TV screens across America.
“Is that not the sweetest sound, Mike?” racing legend Jeff Gordon replied. “Man does it feel good to hear those engines roar like that.”
The Real Heroes 400 took place at Darlington Raceway — with no fans in the stands, Darlington, South Carolina. Safety precautions aplenty prevailed, including temperature checks, masks and social distancing — even for the broadcasters, who were in Charlotte.
It was certainly a unique win for Kevin Harvick.
There will be seven races over the next week and a half, between two tracks in North and South Carolina. There are 20 NASCAR events scheduled across seven Southern states through June 21 — all with no spectators.
Meanwhile in Florida, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson went up against Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff in a charity golf event — the TaylorMade Driving Relief exhibition. On Sunday, May 24, Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning will team up to face Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in a match called Champions for Charity. Both events are raising money to support COVID-19 relief.
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