NASCAR: Jimmie Johnson out for Indy after testing positive for COVID-19

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will not compete in Sunday’s Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after testing positive for COVID-19.

For the first time since he became a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver back in the 2002 season, seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson is set to miss a Cup Series race.

After testing positive for COVID-19, the 44-year-old El Cajon, California native will sit out this Sunday’s Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Johnson, who has competed in 663 consecutive races, was to have started this 160-lap race around the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) oval in Speedway, Indiana in fourth place in his #48 Chevrolet after Thursday evening’s random draw.

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He has reportedly not experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 but was tested after his wife, Chandra, tested positive after experiencing allergy-like symptoms. She is reportedly doing well.

“My first priority is the health and safety of my loved ones and my teammates,” Johnson said in a team release. “I’ve never missed a race in my Cup career, but I know it’s going to be very hard to watch from the sidelines when I’m supposed to be out there competing. Although this situation is extremely disappointing, I’m going to come back ready to win races and put ourselves in playoff contention.”

Through the first 15 races of the 36-race 2020 season, Johnson sits in 12th place in the championship standings with a top finish of third place at Bristol Motor Speedway. He finished in second at Charlotte Motor Speedway but was stripped of that result after his #48 Chevrolet failed post-race inspection.

He sits 63 points above the playoff cut line and has been granted a playoff waiver for regardless of how many races he ends up missing.

NASCAR outlined how he can return behind the wheel.

“Following the guidelines outlined in the Event Operations Protocol manual, Jimmie Johnson has alerted NASCAR that he has tested positive for COVID-19,” they said in a release. “NASCAR has outlined the steps for Johnson’s return, in accordance with the CDC’s current guidelines, which includes that Johnson is symptom free and has two negative COVID-19 test results, at least 24 hours apart. NASCAR requires Johnson to be cleared by his physician before returning to racing.

“Jimmie is a true battle-tested champion, and we wish him well in his recovery. NASCAR has granted Jimmie a playoff waiver, and we look forward to his return as he races for an eighth NASCAR Cup Series championship.”

Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick also commented.

“Jimmie has handled this situation like the champion he is,” he said. “We’re relieved he isn’t showing symptoms and that Chani is doing great, and we know he’ll be back and ready to go very 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 to do for Jimmie and everyone involved.”

Johnson was also set to test a Honda IndyCar for Chip Ganassi Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on Wednesday, July 8. He had initially been slated to make his first IndyCar test behind the wheel of a Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren SP at Barber Motorsports Park on Monday, April 6, but that test was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Justin Allgaier is set to drive the #48 Chevrolet in Sunday’s race instead. The Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 is set to be broadcast live on NBC beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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