DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — NASCAR is back, but without fans, flyovers or other frills. South Carolina’s Darlington Raceway opened its 70-year-old gates today to let the stock car series roar again and the revenue start to flow again. As part of a meticulously planned health protocol, a checkpoint at the gate allowed pre-approved personnel into the infield after a health screening. Once inside NASCAR’s designated footprint, no one may exit. NASCAR hasn’t raced in 10 weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic and has set an aggressive revised schedule of 20 events in seven Southern states between now and June 21.

UNDATED (AP) — Live golf returns to television today with a four-man charity Skins game at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida, to benefit coronavirus relief. It features Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson against Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff, carrying their own bags. The only rake will be carried by a rules official. Another rules official will be the only person to handle the flagstick, if necessary. It will be the first live action on TV since the opening round of The Players Championship on March 12.

BERLIN (AP) — German soccer champion Bayern Munich has returned to action for the first time in more than two months with a league game at Union Berlin. Bayern last played on March 8 before the Bundesliga (BOON’-dehsh-lee-guh) was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. The league resumed competition yesterday. Bayern can go four points clear of second-place Borussia Dortmund with a win as it chases an eighth successive German title.

UNDATED (AP) — Russia has relaxed border restrictions for athletes and coaches in a move that will help soccer to restart in the country next month. Since March, Russia has barred most foreign arrivals in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Now the government says athletes and coaches will be allowed in if they have a contract with a Russian sports team or organization. They will have to spend 14 days in isolation on arrival and will be observed by doctors.

HOUSTON (AP) — Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Ed Oliver has been arrested in the Houston area and charged with drunk driving and illegally carrying a gun. Local media outlets reported that Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies pulled Oliver over last night after receiving reports of someone driving recklessly in a construction area north of the city. Sheriff’s officials say deputies found an open beer and a pistol in Oliver’s truck.

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