Column: NASCAR managed small miracle in problem-free return
Alex Bowman (88) makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Alex Bowman (88) makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

May. 17, 2020 06:34 PM EDT
Members of Kevin Harvick's team celebrate after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Members of Kevin Harvick's team celebrate after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

May. 17, 2020 07:49 PM EDT
The grandstands in Darlington Raceway sit empty before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

The grandstands in Darlington Raceway sit empty before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

May. 17, 2020 01:52 PM EDT
Kevin Harvick celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Kevin Harvick celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

May. 17, 2020 07:39 PM EDT
Tires are checked by a crew member for driver Erik Jones before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Tires are checked by a crew member for driver Erik Jones before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

May. 17, 2020 02:31 PM EDT
Tires for driver Brad Keselowski are checked during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Tires for driver Brad Keselowski are checked during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

May. 17, 2020 06:33 PM EDT
Cars pass by empty seats during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Cars pass by empty seats during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

May. 17, 2020 04:25 PM EDT
Gas cans for driver Ryan Newman are pulled through the pit area before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Gas cans for driver Ryan Newman are pulled through the pit area before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

May. 17, 2020 02:33 PM EDT
Crew members for driver Kyle Busch talk in pit row before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Crew members for driver Kyle Busch talk in pit row before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

May. 17, 2020 01:34 PM EDT
Driver Ryan Newman gets his temperature taken as he arrives at Darlington Raceway before the Real Heroes 400 NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. NASCAR, which has been idle for 10 weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic, makes its return at the track Sunday. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)

Driver Ryan Newman gets his temperature taken as he arrives at Darlington Raceway before the Real Heroes 400 NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. NASCAR, which has been idle for 10 weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic, makes its return at the track Sunday. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)

May. 17, 2020 01:03 PM EDT
Driver John Hunter Nemechek walks to his car before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Driver John Hunter Nemechek walks to his car before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

May. 18, 2020 02:26 PM EDT
CORRECTS TO JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK INSTEAD OF MICHAEL MCDOWELL - Driver John Hunter Nemechek walks to his car before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

CORRECTS TO JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK INSTEAD OF MICHAEL MCDOWELL - Driver John Hunter Nemechek walks to his car before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

May. 18, 2020 07:32 AM EDT