NASCAR set| to make return - Albany Times Union

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Darlington, S.C.

NASCAR will not be as you remember it when racing returns at old egg-shaped Darlington Raceway.

There will be no elaborate infield tailgates, inflatable pools or hundreds of American flags that fly above the campers. The grandstands will be empty gray rows, no spectators allowed.

Darius Rucker will perform a virtual version of the national anthem, Fox Sports will call the race remotely from a studio in Charlotte, N.C., and the victory lane celebration will be a muted affair void of high-fives and hugs. Drivers don't have to shuttle between hospitality events to schmooze with sponsors, and their car owners aren't even expected to be at Sunday's race. Most are over 65 and considered at risk for the coronavirus and not essential to conduct a race.

It will be weird and look nothing like it did 10 weeks ago when NASCAR last raced before its season was suspended by the coronavirus. But as sports fans across the country have clamored for live action, it will be a rare opportunity for NASCAR to be alone in the spotlight and showcase its product — perhaps even to viewers who have long expressed zero interest in racing.

There is no practice or qualifying, and Brad Keselowski will lead the field to green at 3:30 p.m.; the lineup was set in a televised random draw. Most of the drivers last raced March 8 and will take the green flag with no warmup and no idea if their car is properly prepared to tackle NASCAR's oldest superspeedway.

Darlington is considered one of the most technical tracks on the circuit.

"I envision people are going to be pretty timid, at least for the first few laps," said Denny Hamlin, who won the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, the first of only four completed races this season.

Kevin Harvick is the points leader with four top-10 finishes through four races.

Notes: New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Saturday that Watkins Glens can reopen without fans as of June 1. ... Alex Bowman has signed a one-year contract extension to remain with Hendrick Motorsports through 2021.

FILE - In this Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, file photo, Ryan Newman (6) goes airborne after crashing into Corey LaJoie (32) during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Newman, who suffered a head injury in the season opening Daytona 500, will race Sunday, May 17 when NASCAR resumes its season at Darlington Raceway. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

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