Talladega Superspeedway joins the race to end COVID-19 with free laps for vaccines, tests
TALLADEGA COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) — It’s being called the “Race to End COVID-19."
On Saturday, May 15, the Talladega Superspeedway offered free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, but organizers took a creative approach to get people tested and vaccinated.
In return, those who were tested or vaccinated were able to put the pedal to the medal with two laps around the track.
“It was a great day, great experience and I'm look forward to doing it again, I hope not for COVID, but another reason one day,” said David Stephens.
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David Stephens said his family has already dealt with COVID-19 and made it through.
Stephens has a message for people hesitant about the vaccine.
“If you live out in the woods to be a hermit then I don’t guess you need it but if you’re going to be in public and around anybody, I think it’s a good idea to have it,” said Stephens.
The CDC’s Deputy Director for Infectious Disease, Jay Butler said there is a solution to getting rid of mask and overcoming this pandemic.
“Really the vaccine is the superspeedway to be able to do that so we really want to encourage anybody who is willing to receive the vaccine, and let me just say when we look at the risk of the disease its very real,” said Butler.
Organizers said people came from near and far to participate.
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“A lot of different license tags, we’ve had people from Vermont here today, from Virginia, Texas, its been great to see the turn out. We've got a lot of great national exposure out here and I think we are really sending that message out to a lot of people everywhere,” said Director of PR Talladega Super Speed Way Russell Branham.
Both Pfizer and the J&J vaccines were given out Saturday.
If you got the Pfizer vaccine, your second shot is scheduled for Saturday June 12th at the Talladega Superspeedway.
