Hendrick Motorsports announced Friday that Jimmie Johnson had tested positive for COVID-19.
Johnson, 44, is the first NASCAR driver publicly known to have the coronavirus. You will miss the Brickyard 400 on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He will be replaced by Justin Allgaier, who runs for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity series.
The team said the seven-time champion was asymptomatic and was tested for coronavirus after his wife Chandra tested positive for the virus. Johnson has never missed a career in his entire Series Cup career and is in his final Cup season.
“My first priority is the health and safety of my loved ones and my teammates,” Johnson said in a statement. “I have never missed a race in my Cup career, but I know it will be very difficult to see it from the side when I am supposed to be competing.” Although this situation is extremely disappointing, I am going to come back ready to win races and put myself in the fight for the playoffs. ”
HMS said another member of Johnson’s team will be quarantined after contacting him.
“Jimmie has handled this situation like the champion he is,” team owner Rick Hendrick said … “We are relieved that he is showing no symptoms and that Chani is fine, and we know he will be back and ready to go.” soon. It’s going to be difficult for him to be out of the car and away from his team, but it’s the right thing for Jimmie and everyone involved. “
Johnson has won four Brickyard 400s in 18 starts in Indianapolis. His most recent track victory came in 2012 after winning a fourth race at IMS in seven seasons.
When Johnson can return
According to NASCAR coronavirus rules, Johnson must be symptom-free and negative for the virus twice in tests that are at least 24 hours apart. It must also be authorized by a doctor.
“Jimmie is a true battle-tested champion, and we wish him the best in his recovery,” a NASCAR statement said.
NASCAR has implemented social distancing and mask wearing procedures on the tracks since returning to racing on May 17. Crew members on various teams have tested positive for coronavirus since NASCAR has returned to racing.
While NASCAR requires the use of face covers on the tracks and other protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it is not testing participants for the coronavirus when they enter the track on race weekends. If Johnson’s wife had not been tested for coronavirus after her allergy symptoms this week, Johnson could have run with coronavirus on Sunday if she had remained asymptomatic and had passed pre-race temperature control at NASCAR.
Johnson gets playoff exemption
NASCAR rules state that a driver cannot miss races and be eligible to win the championship. But he often grants exemptions to drivers who are missing races and said Friday afternoon that Johnson would get an exemption.
Johnson would need to win a race before the playoffs or be high enough in the point standings to reach the field of 16 drivers. He missed the playoffs for the first time in his 2019 Series Cup career and has not won a race since winning at Dover in June 2017. If Johnson wins a race before the playoffs after returning to compete, all what you have to do is be in the top 30 of the point standings to be eligible for the playoffs.
Johnson announced during the offseason that the 2020 season would be his last full-time season in NASCAR. Johnson is tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt in most Cup championships and has won 83 races in 666 Cup starts.
Jimmie Johnson will miss a race for the first time in his career. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)
Related
