Author: Mike Hembree, Special for USA TODAY

Bristol’s crowd perhaps marked the largest at a sports event in the U.S. since the coronavirus stopped virtually all league play in March.

The banner included “SCV.org” beside the Confederate flag. The Sons of Confederate Veterans organization operates that website.

Bristol Motor Speedway has plans to host 20,000 to 30,000 fans, making it the country’s largest spectator event during the coronavirus pandemic.