On Sunday (May 17, 2020) NASCAR had its first race since early March.
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On March 16, 2020, NASCAR released a statement that it was postponing all of its events through May 3, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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NASCAR announced on May 12, 2020, that former member of Hootie and the Blowfish and country music artist Darius Rucker, would have the honor of performing the National Anthem at the first race back!
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As a South Carolina native, Rucker felt right at home performing for the Real Heroes 400 at the Darlington Raceway.
Although Rucker had to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” from a distance due to new protocols, fans were raving about how perfectly fit his performance was.
Great job @dariusrucker. Nice way to start up Live Spirts again! @FOXSports @NASCARONFOX #Darlington
— Camden (@cforse1500) May 17, 2020
In the video of Rucker’s performance, he is seen with a blue sky behind him and an American flag pridefully waving in the wind. The camera pans to the racers, all wearing face masks, proudly holding their right hand over their heart and listening to Rucker sing our National Anthem.
Each racecar driver was honoring a local healthcare worker by carrying the healthcare worker’s name above their door. A local FOX affiliate selected each of the healthcare workers and were all a part of The Real Heroes Project.
The doctors and nurses chosen gave the command for the day. In a group video collage, pieced together of the heroes on the front lines, they gave the commands to start the race, “Drivers, start your engines!”
Watch the video below!