Groups and businesses around the country are trying to incentivize people to get their Covid vaccine. Krispy Kreme is offering free donuts, Shake Shack is giving away free fries — and in Alabama a slightly different, more unique incentive happened over the weekend.
Talladega Superspeedway’s Covid vaccination incentive was genius
Bravo, ‘Dega.
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
On Saturday the track was open to anyone, and everyone still in need of receiving the vaccine. A free mass vaccination site was set up to get people their shots, then you had the chance to take a couple of laps around the Talladega Superspeedway. If you ever wanted to bank your Honda CRV around a NASCAR track at 60 miles an hour while pretending you’re Dale Jr. this was your chance.
Honestly, this was a brilliant idea. As of Friday just over 40 percent of Alabama citizens were vaccinated against Covid 19, with the state reporting that only one county had topped a 50 percent vaccination rate. Taking some laps around a racetrack might seem like a small thing, but you never know — it might have a knock-on effect to convince more people that the vaccine is safe and effective, despite what your conspiracy-loving relatives on Facebook might say as they try to treat Covid with essential oils.
The move by Talladega is prompting people a push for more NASCAR tracks to get involved in a similar incentive.
With Jeff Gordon behind it, this might become a reality — and now we can all potentially feel like a NASCAR driver for an afternoon, and more importantly keep ourselves, and others safe.
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