Photo: Mike Levitt / IMSA
Action Express Racing has confirmed that its driver Felipe Nasr will miss the IMSA WeatherTech 240 this weekend at Daytona after testing positive for COVID-19.
The 2018 IMSA prototype champion would drive the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-VR with Pipo Derani, but now he will return to his Miami residence to be quarantined after the test result.
Former IndyCar running back Gabby Chaves was drafted to replace Nasr at Daytona.
Chaves is familiar with the Action Express squad that drove one of his Cadillac DPi cars at Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen and Motul Petit Le Mans in 2018.
“All of us at Action Express were stunned when we heard that our friend and teammate Felipe Nasr tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday,” said team manager Gary Nelson.
“We will certainly miss him competing in our Whelen Cadillac DPi-VR on Saturday in Daytona.
“But more importantly, he is a great friend to all of us and we know that he will fight hard to beat this virus in the same way that he fights for trophies on race tracks.” We wish you a speedy recovery.
“Felipe has not been on the track and will avoid any contact with the public until his medical team has authorized him.
“We made the quick decision to bring Gabby Chaves, who is familiar with our team, to partner with Pipo Derani this weekend. We will prepare Felipe to join us again in Sebring in 15 days. ”
Nasr explained that he was tested for COVID-19 after feeling bad on the way to Daytona for the IMSA first round from the Rolex 24 on the same track in January.
Both Nasr and Derani relied on Miami during June after their moves to the United States to overcome the country’s travel ban on arrivals from Brazil, while Derani said last week that the couple trained together during their stint in Florida.
It is not clear if Derani has been tested for the virus.
“I have waited so long for this weekend to compete again,” said Nasr, who with Derani finished second behind Dane Cameron and Juan Pablo Montoya in the 2019 championship.
“I felt like I had been doing everything correctly. I have been in Miami for about a month, getting away from anyone at the races.
“Yesterday, while driving to Daytona, I was not feeling well. So before going on the track or meeting with my team or anyone else in motorsport, I went and tested and unfortunately tested positive.
“I want to keep everyone on the Whelen Engineering / Action Express team and everyone around the series safe.
“I will return to Miami to quarantine. Hopefully, I will recover quickly, and my doctors may authorize me to compete again soon.
“For now, I will follow all instructions, guidelines, and recommendations from my medical team, my race team, and IMSA officials.”
