The 2019 NASCAR season is almost at an end, and that means it’s time for Speedway fans to gear up for the next NASCAR season.
The 2019 season was a landmark year for NASCAR, as it was the first time that the sport had been contested in an even-numbered year. That meant that some of the events were postponed or shifted to accommodate for the upcoming election year in the United States.
Unfortunately, that also meant that some races were postponed or canceled entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the season is over, it’s time for Speedway fans to reflect on what was a memorable year for NASCAR and the fans who witnessed it firsthand.
Notable Accomplishments
In 2019, NASCAR had a great year, as it celebrated its 100th Anniversary and made memorable events like the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400.
The most memorable event was undoubtedly the Daytona 500. This annual race is one of the most prestigious in all of sports, as it brings together drivers from around the world for one day and one night of competition.
This year’s edition of the Daytona 500 was one of the most historic in the history of the event, as it featured the first-ever female driver in the race’s history, Emily Maynard. Additionally, it was the first time that the Daytona 500 had been held in mid-February, which is earlier than usual. The date was set to accommodate for the upcoming Super Bowl, which was being held on February 3rd.
Record-Breaking Season
The first half of the 2019 season was rather uneventful, as there were no major incidents and no one broke any records. That is, until the final ten events of the season, when nearly everything changed.
The last ten events of the season were a roller coaster of events, as multiple accidents caused major injuries and several contenders for the title fell by the wayside. The final outcome was one of the most exciting finishes to a NASCAR season in recent years, as Kevin Harvick became the first four-time winner of the Daytona 500, which capped off an incredible season for the four-time defending champion and his team, Richard Childress Racing.
The Comeback Kid
One of the most notable contenders for the 2019 title was Chase Elliott. Despite starting the season 23rd in the standings, Elliott worked his way to the top, winning 8 races and the championship by only 2 points over teammate and rival Kyle Busch. The winnings from this season made Elliott the first-ever rookie of the year and also put him in contention for the following years’ championships.
New Heights In NASCAR
The 2019 season was a landmark year for NASCAR, as it marked the first time that the sport had been contested in an even-numbered year. That made some of the events post-poned or shifted to accommodate for the upcoming election year in the United States.
The season premiere was the 2019 Daytona 500, which was postponed to February 15th, the day before Super Bowl LIII, which was also scheduled for February 15th. The 500 was subsequently rescheduled to February 22nd, which was the day before the Annual Championship Race. This made for an interesting mix of competition, as the Super Bowl was on the weekend of the 500 and the Annual Championship a few days later.
Postponed And Rescheduled Events
As previously mentioned, the first half of the 2019 season was uneventful, as there were no major incidents and no one broke any records. That is, until the final ten events of the season, when multiple accidents caused major injuries and several contenders for the title fell by the wayside. The following is a list of some of the most notable events that were postponed or rescheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic:
- Daytona 500: The inaugural Daytona 500 was postponed twice and eventually canceled because of the pandemic. It was not held until July.
- Daytona International Raceway: The Daytona International Raceway was also postponed twice and eventually canceled. It was last held in February 2020.
- Phoenix International Raceway: The Phoenix International Raceway was also postponed twice before it was eventually canceled. It last held a race in September 2019.
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was postponed to October, and then to November.
- Michigan International Speedway: The Michigan International Speedway was also postponed to November and eventually canceled. The last race there was in October.
- Gateway Motorsports Park: The Gateway Motorsports Park was postponed to December and then to January.
- Myrtle Beach International Speedway: The Myrtle Beach International Speedway was also postponed to January and then to March.
- Loudon Womens Prison: The Loudon Womens Prison was also postponed to March and then to April.
- Nashville Zoo: The Nashville Zoo was postponed to April and then to June.
Changes To Come
The 2019 season was a big one for NASCAR. Not only did it mark the sport’s 100th Anniversary, but it also saw several records broken and some noteworthy contenders emerge.
The biggest news ahead of the 2020 season is the return of NASCAR to Sprint Cup, as the league’s premier series will be going head-to-head with the IndyCar World Series beginning next year. The first leg of the all-time rivalry is the 2020 season opener on March 9th, with two races being held in California, the first at the season opener on March 9th and the second at the season finale on October 22nd. The first-ever doubleheader in the history of the IndyCar World Series will be on the books for a while.
Some fans may also see a reduction in the size of the grandstands at the various tracks, as more fans choose to attend races remotely. While the technology is becoming more advanced and easier to use, there are still some teething problems that prevent it from being a perfect solution. The rise of the “roving reporter” helps fill-in fans who cannot attend live events due to school closures or work commitments. This allows them to follow the action remotely, providing them with the excitement of a typical sports telecast.
What Is Fairbury Speedway Schedule 2019?
The 2019 NASCAR season was almost at an end, and that means it’s time for Speedway fans to gear up for the next NASCAR season.
The 2019 season was a landmark year for NASCAR, as it was the first time that the sport had been contested in an even-numbered year. That meant that some of the events were postponed or shifted to accommodate for the upcoming election year in the United States.
Unfortunately, that also meant that some races were postponed or canceled entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the season is over, it’s time for Speedway fans to reflect on what was a memorable year for NASCAR and the fans who witnessed it firsthand.