bransonglobe.com SPORTS • NASCAR Continued from page 9 36th. The final four slots will go to non-chartered teams based on order of owner points. The field will be frozen for a competition caution on Lap 30 and only the top 20 cars will be allowed to pit on that lap. The other 20 cars will pit on the next lap. Gordon, a four-time NASCAR champion ranked third in alltime victories, applauded the new approaches the sanctioning body is taking as it attempts to restart the season. There are at least two Wednesday night races coming up, with the field May 20 at Darlington set by the finishing order of Sunday’s race — with a twist: The top 20 finishers Sunday will be inverted for Wednesday’s starting lineup. With so much happening and NASCAR being the first major sports league with a nationally televised event, Gordon recognizes the responsibility he and Joy have to set the right tone. Gordon was a driver in NASCAR’s first race back after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 when Dale Earnhardt Jr. won in Dover, Delaware, and set an iconic image for the nation by waving the American flag out his winMartin Truex, Jr. to pilot the Bass Pro Shops Toyota Sunday at Darlington Sunday’s race, originally schedSubmitted to Branson Globe DARLINGTON, S.C. – Gentlemen, re-start your engines! NASCAR Cup Series racing gets back to live-track action this Sunday, May 17 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. Martin Truex, Jr. will be driving the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats and ATVs Toyota Camry in Sunday’s race, where the car lineup will be determined by random draw. In addition, Truex will pilot the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota in a second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race scheduled for Darlington Raceway, Wednesday, May 20. uled for Chicagoland, will be held at Darlington Raceway due to its close proximity to Charlotte, N.C., where many race teams are based. In addition, health and safety guidelines are in place, including fans not being allowed in the stands. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, tracks have been silent since the last Cup race, March 8, at Phoenix Raceway. WHERE/WHEN TO WATCH First race airs live on FOX on Sunday, May 17, at 2:30 p.m. CT. Second race airs live on FS1 on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. CT dow during his celebration. “These are unique and challenging times and I hope that people that tune in are tuning in because they recognize the importance that sports play in our every day life,” Gordon said. “I think it can show hope. I think there’s going to be a lot of eyeballs on this event to see how it’s going to play out and how it’s going to be able to continue after this, and what that means for our country as peoMay 17-19, 2020 • 11 ple are trying to figure out how they are going to get back to work or normalcy or school and what life is going to look like over the next year. If a sporting event like this can happen, then, what’s the next step?” Bass Pro Shops Toyota, piloted by Martin Truex, Jr. (Courtesy nascar.com)
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