NASCAR: Jimmie Johnson cleared to return at Kentucky
By Asher Fair
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has been cleared to return to competition for this Sunday’s race at Kentucky Speedway.
For the first time since becoming a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver for Hendrick Motorsports back in the 2002 season, seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson was forced to sit on the sidelines this past Sunday and watch the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after testing positive for COVID-19.
Johnson entered the weekend having competed in a series-high 663 consecutive races going back to the 2002 season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, but JR Motorsports Xfinity Series driver Justin Allgaier replaced him behind the wheel of the #48 Chevrolet for this race.
However, Hendrick Motorsports listed Johnson as their driver of the #48 Chevrolet for this Sunday’s Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway, meaning that anybody other than Johnson driving the car in this 267-lap race around the four-turn, 1.5-mile (2.414-kilometer) oval in Sparta, Kentucky would have resulted in it being forced to drop to the rear of the field for the start.
More from NASCAR Cup Series
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
- NASCAR team adds third car, names driver for 2024 Daytona 500
But now the 44-year-old El Cajon, California native has officially been cleared to return to racing.
“My family is so grateful for the incredible love and support we’ve received over the last several days,” Johnson said in a team release. “I especially want to thank Justin Allgaier for stepping in for me at Indy and being a true pro. I’m excited about getting back to business with my team this weekend.”
To return to racing, Johnson needed to test negative for COVID-19 twice, and his two negative tests needed to not take place within 24 hours of one another. He tested negative on both Monday and Tuesday and has since been given clearance from his physician to get back behind the wheel. He never experienced symptoms.
Due to missing this past Sunday’s race, Johnson was granted a playoff waiver by NASCAR. With 10 races remaining in the 26-race regular season, he sits in 15th place in the championship standings, 36 points above the playoff cut line.
Next. Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark
Fox Sports 1 is set to broadcast the Quaker State 400 live from Kentucky Speedway beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET this Sunday, July 12.