On Tuesday, the Knoxville Raceway announced the postponement of the 60th annual Knoxville Nationals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The postponement is a blow to the Knoxville community as annual visitors to the track help to increase revenues for Knoxville businesses as well as the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce who raise funds by parking cars, holding the annual Nationals parade and other endeavors centered around Nationals. Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Director Hannah Vander Veer tells KNIA/KRLS News despite the postponement there will still be races going on that should still bring people into town just not as much. She says Knoxville businesses have shown so much resilience through this whole pandemic and she expects nothing less when it comes to dealing with the Nationals fallout. She says the chamber is now focused on how providing information to businesses on how to stay safe when race fans do arrive. 

Vander Veer says if anyone has racing related questions they should contact the Knoxville Raceway but if their questions are community based she says the chamber is more than happy to answer those questions. To hear the complete interview with Vander Veer, tune in to today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville