CONCORD, N.C. — Numerous factors were involved in the decision by Speedway Motorsports and NASCAR officials to move the NASCAR All-Star Race from Charlotte Motor Speedway to Bristol Motor Speedway on July 15.

Among them was a recent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Charlotte, N.C., region according to Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith.

“When you look at the landscape of things just over the last few days, we’ve all been able to see there is a hot spot brewing in Charlotte. It’s been covered widely. I think that’s in keeping with part of our decision-making process,” Smith said.

“We felt like there was enough brewing on the collective plate in North Carolina that this didn’t need to be a lightning-rod issue if you will,” Smith added. “This wasn’t about leveraging North Carolina or Tennessee, it was really about doing the best thing for NASCAR fans and the sport and we felt like this was the right decision.”

Another factor that can’t be overlooked was the chance to have a significant number of fans in the grandstands for the All-Star Race. Local and state authorities have agreed to allow 30,000 fans in the stands for the event, by far the most fans at a sporting event in the United States since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“Deciding to make the change with the move from Charlotte to Bristol was a big deal,” Smith added. “A mile-and-a-half track where it has been for all but one year to the world’s fastest half-mile at Bristol. But, also, it’s a big deal today to host 30,000 fans at one site. It’s a great opportunity I think for all the race fans who will be on site, it’s a great opportunity for us a professionals to put on an event and put it on in a way that is entertaining for everybody there.”

For years there have been calls for NASCAR to move the All-Star Race to a different facility or to put the event on a rotating schedule where it visits different venues. The only other time the event has been held at a track other than Charlotte Motor Speedway was in 1986, when Atlanta Motor Speedway hosted the All-Star Race.

At this point there is no long-term decision as to which track will host the All-Star Race in 2021 or beyond. NASCAR Executive Vice President, Racing Development Steve O’Donnell acknowledged that shifting the All-Star Race to Bristol this year would be an excellent opportunity to gauge fan interest.

“We’ll see how this works out. This is a challenge that’s presented us with an opportunity, so we can see the fan reaction and see what may be out there,” O’Donnell said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the fans think and, hopefully, we’ll deliver a good show for both Jerry (Caldwell, Bristol Motor Speedway General Manager) and Marcus and the fans.”

Bristol Motor Speedway General Manager Jerry Caldwell said they plan to accommodate anyone who purchased a ticket to the NASCAR All-Star Race who wants one for the rescheduled race at Bristol. He also noted tickets for the event are on sale now for those interested in attending.

“We’re obviously going to make sure we honor the folks that have tickets currently for the All-Star Race down in Charlotte, making sure we take care of them, make sure that we’re taking care of Bristol customers that weren’t able to come to the Food City 500 in the spring,” Caldwell said. “This is open for NASCAR fans. This is going to be one of those events you’re going to want to be at and NASCAR fans are going to want to attend.”

Caldwell also said there will be several measures of protection in place to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.

“We’re obviously going to put in place lots of measures for protection so that there is social distancing, there is spacing in the grandstands,” Caldwell said. “That’s the beauty of having a facility that can hold 150,000 people, we can put 30,000 people in here and keep them really spread out and far apart and make sure we do it in a safe manner for the industry, the fans and the community.”

Smith is hopeful fans from the Charlotte region will make the trip to Bristol for the race, adding he believes the move was good for all parties involved given the current climate of the country.

“We love the history of the NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but given the opportunities to be able to host the event at Bristol Motor Speedway just a short drive away, about a three-hour drive from Charlotte, it is an opportunity for fans to enjoy a sporting event that they haven’t been able to do in quite some time,” Smith said. “We think this is good for NASCAR, this is good for NASCAR fans and we feel like that is the best way for us to serve the community.”