NASCAR has suspended its season until May as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommendation to postpone gatherings for the next eight weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision came after at least two Monday conference calls between the sanctioning body and its team owners.
It affects seven races after Atlanta and Homestead had already been postponed.
“The health and safety of our fans, industry and the communities in which we race is our most important priority,” NASCAR said.
The series plans to return to the track at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia on May 9.
“We intend to hold all 36 races this season, with future rescheduling soon to be determined as we continue to monitor this situation closely with public health officials and medical experts,” NASCAR said.
“What is important now transcends the world of sports and our focus is on everyone’s safety and well-being as we navigate this challenging time together.”
NASCAR first said it would run last weekend and this coming weekend without spectators, but reversed course Friday and postponed the races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
NASCAR had not addressed anything beyond Homestead until Monday’s announcement.
IndyCar and Formula One both cancelled last weekend’s season-opening races, IndyCar has suspended the season through the end of April and F1 said upcoming races in Bahrain, Vietnam and China are postponed.
IndyCar’s 17-race schedule has been hit hard by the coronavirus because street races in St. Petersburg, Florida and Long Beach, California, have been cancelled outright. Two road course events in Birmingham, Alabama, and Austin, Texas, could be rescheduled.