The silence was stark. The separation of teams in the garage area was noticeable. Even drivers were alone as part of the social distancing mandated with NASCAR’s return from a 10-week break because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But when engines fired, even though it took place in front of empty grandstands at Darlington Raceway, racing was back. The passing. The crashing. Even a middle finger displayed by the sport’s most popular driver toward a two-time champion.
Then followed the conversation between Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch. And what Elliott had to say to the media about the incident and how he had “no regrets” for his salute to Busch at the time.
The winners each had their own stories. Kevin Harvick scored his 50th career Cup victory, winning last Sunday. Denny Hamlin won for the second time this season. Chase Briscoe scored an emotional Xfinity Series win two days after he and his wife found out she had a miscarriage.
As NASCAR heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for four consecutive nights of racing - starting with Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 (6 p.m. ET on Fox) - here’s a look back at a week unlike any other for the sport.
DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the #38 Citgard Ford, has his temperature checked by NASCAR Security prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Social distancing and techniques to stop the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) signage displayed in the garage area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: The crew push the #8 Caterpillar Chevrolet, driven by Tyler Reddick through the garage area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Drivers and crew members stand on the grid for the national anthem prior to the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, is towed away during the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Fastenal Ford, and Erik Jones, driver of the #20 DeWalt Atomic Thank You Toyota, pit during the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. NASCAR resumes the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light #YOURFACEHERE Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning during the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 17, 2020 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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