As 100,000 visitors are expected at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Henry County this weekend amid growing concerns of the coronavirus, there are no plans to restrict attendance. Racetrack and county officials are urging people to take precautions advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health.
“We’re just doing what the CDC has encouraged us to do: wash our hands and not touch our faces,” county spokeswoman Melissa Robinson said. While the county does not have any coronavirus cases, there have been six confirmed cases: Fulton County (3), one in Cobb County, one in Floyd County and one in Polk County. There are also 11 presumptive cases in Cobb (3), DeKalb (2), Fulton (2), Gwinnett (2), and one each in Cherokee and Fayette counties.
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Henry County Commissioner Bruce Holmes said the influx of people brings increased concern that the virus could spread to the county. Holmes said county commissioners have had several meetings with Atlanta Motor Speedway and were told the venue will distribute 50,000 personal hand sanitizers and have additional handwashing stations.
“All we can do right now is educate people as much as possible on how to reduce their chances of getting the virus,” Holmes said.
Atlanta Motor Speedway has no plans to limit attendance at NASCAR’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 on Sunday because of the coronavirus, according to a racetrack representative.
The AMS representative said the track is closely monitoring facts and recommendations from public health officials.
“The CDC’s current risk assessment says COVID-19 is not currently widespread in the United States and for most people, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus is low,” the AMS representative said. “To prevent the spread of cold, flu or COVID-19, experts are encouraging prevention, not panic, and asking people to practice good hygiene — frequent hand-washing, using hand sanitizer and covering sneezes and coughs.”
The track is working to add hand-sanitizer stations and is encouraging race attendees to use good hygiene.
Coronavirus concerns aren’t stopping Nascar fan Brad Craven, 58, who lives 15 minutes away from the track. Craven has family coming from as far as North Georgia for the race, but they don’t plan on taking any extraordinary precautions.
“We probably should, but we’re taking our chances,” he said, adding people should wash their hands.
Henry County Schools spokesman JD Hardin said the district has been in constant contact with Henry County Emergency Management Association and has provided constant updates on the virus on its website.
“Our school system has also had a good partnership with Atlanta Motor Speedway,” he said. “Nothing has been brought to our attention or concern about what happens outside of race weekend.”
The weekend at AMS will begin Friday with the practice. Two races will be held Saturday with the Vet Tix Camping World 200 Truck Series and the Echopark 250 Xfinity Series. The weekend culminates with the QuikTrip 500 on Sunday.
Concerns about the coronavirus have resulted in the cancellation or limited access to many events, domestically and abroad, recently. On Monday, four professional sports leagues limited locker room access to essential team personnel, and some area schools have closed.
Concerns about the coronavirus have resulted in the cancellation of many events and large gatherings. The AJC will monitor these announcements and keep you informed about any postponements, rescheduling and cancellations, but it’s best to check with venues or event organizers before making plans to attend.
