On March 11, NASCAR announced several adjustments to race event operations, effective at Atlanta. Changes include an open-air drivers meeting with essential personnel only; a 6-foot buffer around pre- and postrace stages; team personnel only in haulers; pre-signed autographs; and open-air driver appearances. Media-wise, NASCAR is keeping its media interview bullpens for the time being, but with a 6-foot buffer to keep drivers at a distance.

NASCAR remains in daily consultation with public health officials and other prominent sports and entertainment properties, and has added an infectious disease specialist to its consulting physician group to provide technical assistance and to inform policy.

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Major League Baseball players have been advised not to sign autographs during spring training. Supercross star Ken Roczen canceled public appearances and autograph sessions indefinitely. NBA player CJ McCollum tweeted he is “taking a break” from signing for fans until further notice.

As the Coronavirus continues to make international headlines, sports leagues and athletes are keeping an eye on their public interaction policies. Could that affect NASCAR as well?

No NASCAR driver has yet to refrain from signing items or greeting fans, and NASCAR has not issued any formal guidance to the garage regarding autographs. But it’s clear the topic started to get the attention of some drivers last weekend at Phoenix Raceway.

“You have to kind of think (about) that, because you look at our country and what they’re doing right now to try and protect everybody,” Joey Logano said. “I’ve tried not to shake as many hands and do the fist bumps (instead). I’m washing my hands more, probably like everyone is. A little bit concerned about it.”

NASCAR drivers come into contact with more members of the public than the majority of athletes for a couple reasons. Not only is fan access a hallmark of attending NASCAR races (fans can be in the garage or on pit road with the proper pass), but driver schedules are packed with required appearances on behalf of sponsors and tracks.

Kevin Harvick attended two such events on Friday and changed his usual meet-and-greet policy in light of the virus threat. Harvick only used his own pen to sign autographs and, like Logano, opted for fist bumps instead of handshakes.

“Trying to keep a little bit of distance to help with both of us,” Harvick said.

But that doesn’t go for everyone. In speaking with more than a dozen drivers this weekend, The Athletic drew a variety of responses when raising the Coronavirus question.

“Business as usual,” Kurt Busch said. “Not concerned.”

“I’m not too terribly worried about it right now,” Denny Hamlin said. “From what I read, as long as you’re a pretty healthy person, you’re going to be OK.”

“I think people are making a bigger deal than what it is,” Daniel Suarez said. “I’ve always been a very clean person and always wash my hands and have had sanitizer in my golf cart for a couple years.”

Several drivers’ garage movements are accompanied by fans surrounding them with items to sign, thrusting all sorts of diecast cars, photographs, programs and hero cards into the stars’ hands. One of those drivers, Kyle Busch, said he’s not doing anything different because “I’m not smart enough to know whether or not it’s something real to worry about.”

Other drivers are making small changes out of precaution, though nothing drastic.

“I’m more conscious to make sure I have hand sanitizer nearby and try not to touch my face,” said Corey LaJoie, who added he’s still obliging with handshakes instead of knuckles because he thinks it seems rude to refuse.

If you asked Ryan Preece or Austin Dillon for an autograph at Phoenix, they were using their own Sharpie. Dillon said he tried to sign the windshield of diecast cars so he doesn’t have to touch them.

“I used to never be that way,” Dillon said. “I actually used to make fun of (now-retired driver) Jamie McMurray for being a germaphobe. Now I’m kind of on the same program at this point.”

But Dillon said that’s not necessarily about the Coronavirus.

“You want to stay healthy because you’ve got a long year, and you don’t want to catch any kind of cold — much less the other stuff everybody is talking about these days,” he said.

Due to the amount of interaction with the public and frequent travel, Brad Keselowski said NASCAR drivers are “very susceptible” to catching whatever diseases are going around. And that means they’re also potential carriers who could pass it to others.

That’s an important point for people to remember, Logano said, if the day ever comes when a policy change is required.

“It’s not about the athlete or whoever it may be not wanting to see their fans,” he said. “It’s trying to look out for your fans at the same time. So I don’t want that to be taken the wrong way if it does come to that.

“But yeah, I do care about my own safety, too. As everyone should.”

(Top photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)