Clash returns May 1 at Lancaster
Lancaster (S.C.) Motor Speedway has scheduled a $5,000-to-win Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series event for Friday, May 1, as the half-mile oval returns to action for the first time since health officials imposed coronavirus restrictions.
While spectators won’t be admitted to the Lancaster Lidlifter presented by PitStopUSA.com, video of Friday’s 40-lapper — the first touring Super Late Model race in more than six weeks — will be available on live streaming for DirtonDirt.com and FloRacing subscribers.
“We hopefully can get some good cars in here,” said co-promoter Shannon Munn, whose previous competition was March 7 for a Carolina Clash event won by Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C. “It’s extremely hard putting on a race without fans, but with everybody’s help, I think we’re going to be able to pull it off.”
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Friday with the drivers’ meeting at 7 p.m. followed by hot laps; pit passes are $40. Besides Super Late Models, two other divisions will be announced.
Munn has worked with chamber of commerce officials and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office regarding restrictions for crowd-gathering. The track plans to limit the event to 60 race cars among the three divisions with five people per race car and a total of about 300 individuals on the 50-acre grounds. Two pit stalls will remain empty between teams and, while full concessions won’t be open, bottled and canned drinks will be sold.
“We’ve already got our social distancing system in place (after hosting a practice),” Munn said. “You can’t park beside each other, and we actually are taking temperatures of people coming in. We’ve got a system and know how to do this stuff now.”
Munn’s promotional skills were put to the test as he worked outside his comfort zones in scheduling a race in such unusual circumstances, but he’s appreciative of cooperating fellow promoters and streaming partners for assistance.
“Hopefully we’ll get back to normal soon,” he said.