NASCAR employee tests positive for COVID-19
By Asher Fair
NASCAR’s first positive test for COVID-19 has come from an employee who was present at Atlanta Motor Speedway two weekends ago.
NASCAR, like every other sport, was unable to escape the effects of the coronavirus pandemic from a scheduling standpoint, as it saw multiple races put on hold due to the growing threat of COVID-19.
The initial plans were for action to continue on as planned two weekends ago at Atlanta Motor Speedway, albeit without fans in attendance, but that race, along with every other race scheduled through the first weekend in May, ended up being postponed.
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Unfortunately, NASCAR was also unable to escape the virus itself.
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NASCAR told teams in a note on Wednesday afternoon that an employee, one who was present at Atlanta Motor Speedway before the race weekend was put on hold, had tested positive for the virus. This marks the first confirmed case of the virus in the sport, as there were no previous reports of any positive tests within the NASCAR community.
NASCAR also noted that officials at the four-turn, 1.54-mile (2.478-kilometer) oval in Hampton, Georgia had been notified of this positive test and that the process of cleaning and sanitizing of equipment in accordance with CDC-recommended protocols was already underway.
According to the note, “the individual is in process of receiving medical care and all employees potentially exposed have been directed to self-quarantine for the two weeks following that event through March 27 and will be monitored closely for symptoms”.
NASCAR did not comment about the matter itself due to privacy laws.
As of now, the Cup Series season is scheduled to get back underway on Saturday, May 9 at Martinsville Speedway while the Truck Series season is scheduled to get back underway on Friday, May 15 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Xfinity Series season is scheduled to get back underway on Saturday, May 23 at the same venue.
These dates are, of course, subject to change.
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For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.