NASCAR would return on Memorial Day weekend and complete all of its races under a best-case revised schedule. Also: NBA playoff plans, the status of the British Open and more.
NASCAR’s best-case return would be Memorial Day weekend
NASCAR would resume its season with the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend under a best-case revised schedule obtained by The Athletic. Under the schedule — “just one of many potential scenarios” — each of the races thus far postponed would be made up later in the year, a scheduling crunch made possible by scheduling midweek races and two extra doubleheaders.
Texas would shift to June 7, Martinsville to July 1, Richmond to July 8, Atlanta to July 12, Talladega to July 26, Homestead-Miami to July 29, Bristol to August 2 and Dover to August 22. The Martinsville, Richmond and Homestead-Miami races would be on Wednesday nights and Dover would take place on a doubleheader weekend.
Those scheduling changes would affect races that have not yet been postponed. Michigan on June 7 would move to August 8 as part of a doubleheader. Kentucky on July 11 would move to a Wednesday night on July 15. In addition, the fall races at Texas and Las Vegas would swap dates, with the former taking place September 27 and the latter on October 25, apparently to accommodate a rescheduled music event in Las Vegas. [The Athletic 4.1]
SI says NBA officials have ruled out traditional NBA Playoffs
According to Sports Illustrated, NBA team and league officials believe that there is no chance of a traditional NBA Playoffs this year. Echoing a previous CNBC report, SI said the league is looking at playing its full postseason in Las Vegas, though the exact format has yet to be worked out. The NBA suspended its season March 11 after Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.
In other NBA news, ESPN will begin broadcasting an NBA 2K20 tournament involving NBA players on Friday. ESPN and ESPN2 will combine for four hours of coverage on Friday night, with ESPN2 carrying four hours more on Sunday. Additional coverage will air later in the month. [SI.com 4.2, ESPN PR 4.1]
British Open to be canceled, says Golf Digest
Golf Digest reported Wednesday night that this year’s British Open will be canceled, but organizer the R&A said Thursday that postponement was still on the table. Despite the R&A’s denial, Golf Digest said its sources “reiterated” that cancellation was likely. The Open is scheduled to run from July 16-19.
The possible cancellation of the British Open comes on the heels of the official cancellation of Wimbledon, which had been set to run from June 29-July 12. Like Wimbledon, the Open has not been called off since the end of World War II. [Golf Digest 4.2]
Plus: MLB in London, Masters encores, IndyCar iRacing
Major League Baseball has called off its scheduled Cubs-Cardinals series in London, which was set to take place June 13-14. … CBS will rebroadcast the final round of last year’s Masters, won by Tiger Woods, April 11 at 12:30 PM ET. It will also air Phil Mickelson’s 2004 final round win the previous day, while ESPN will air the final rounds of the 1986, 1997, 2005, 2012 and 2013 Masters during its coverage windows April 8-10. … NBCSN will air Saturday’s IndyCar Series iRacing event with its usual broadcast team of Leigh Diffey, Paul Tracy and Townsend Bell on the call. [SBD 4.1; CBS Sports PR; ESPN PR 4.1; NBC Sports PR 4.1]
