O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 to return to Metroplex in July

There is a return date for NASCAR at Texas Motor Speedway.

Texas Motor Speedway announced Thursday that the NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 has been rescheduled for July 19.

The original race weekend, scheduled for March 27-29, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We couldn’t be happier to have NASCAR racing back at Texas Motor Speedway for the 24th consecutive season,” said track president Eddie Gossage in a press release.

“Our first choice is always to open the grandstands, suites and infield to our race fans. We currently don’t have any information to share about if fans will be able to attend but we are working on the issue with the state of Texas to make sure we comply with their direction.”

Other races at TMS over the weekend will include the NASCAR Xfinity Series My Bariatric Solutions 300 and the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Vankor 350, both taking place on July 18.

According to the release, Texas Motor Speedway and NASCAR have developed a comprehensive plan and continue to work with state and local officials to determine the size and scope of the number of race fans who will be able to attend the weekend’s events.

Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday the attendance capacity of state sporting events has been raised to 50% in an effort to further open the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Abbott’s order for “Phase 3” of the state’s reopening covered professional, collegiate, and other similar sporting events, effective immediately.

IndyCar is set to open its season at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth on Saturday, but Gossage said last week that even under the new rule, the Genesys 300 race will still not include fans.

“Nobody wants to have the stands filled with fans more than me but we’re just not in a position to do that yet,” Gossage said.