NASCAR: Austin Dillon out for Daytona after positive COVID-19 test
By Asher Fair
Austin Dillon will not compete in this Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at the Daytona International Speedway road course after testing positive for COVID-19.
Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon will not compete in this Sunday’s inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at the Daytona International Speedway road course, the Go Bowling 235, after testing positive for COVID-19.
Dillon reportedly had symptoms of COVID-19 and decided to get tested on his own prior to receiving a positive test on Saturday morning.
Kaz Grala, who has never competed in a Cup Series race, is set to replace him behind the wheel of the #3 Chevrolet for this 65-lap race around the 14-turn, 3.61-mile (5.810-kilometer) road course in Daytona Beach, Florida.
.@AustinDillon3 had mild symptoms of COVID-19 and decided to get tested on his own, per sources; the team has announced that the result came back positive this morning.
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) August 15, 2020
➖ @KazGrala in the No. 3 this weekend at Daytona road course. pic.twitter.com/8RpJTmC1R0
Competition update regarding the No. 3 car. pic.twitter.com/MUq0PqpSVy
— RCR (@RCRracing) August 15, 2020
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Through the first 22 races of the 2020 season, Dillon sits in a 17th place tie in the point standings with rookie teammate Tyler Reddick and ninth in the playoff picture. Fortunately for the 30-year-old Welcome, North Carolina native, he is already locked into the playoffs after winning the race at Texas Motor Speedway last month, and he will be granted a playoff waiver.
Since becoming a full-time driver for Richard Childress Racing back in 2014, Dillon has not missed a single race. His streak of 238 consecutive starts will come to an end this weekend.
He must test negative for COVID-19 twice, from tests taken at least 24 hours apart, and he must be given clearance by his physician to return racing. Should he not be able to produce two negative tests over a 10-day period, his return status may still be reviewed by his physician, according to NASCAR.
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The Go Bowling 235 is set to be broadcast live from the Daytona International Speedway road course on NBC beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 16.