NASCAR: Austin Dillon cleared to return following COVID-19 absence

Austin Dillon has been cleared to return to NASCAR Cup Series racing after testing positive for COVID-19 and missing last weekend’s race.

For the first time since becoming a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver for Richard Childress Racing ahead of the 2014 season, Austin Dillon was forced to miss a start this past Sunday after testing positive for COVID-19.

Dillon, who already secured a playoff spot by winning at Texas Motor Speedway back in mid-July, was replaced by Kaz Grala behind the wheel of the #3 Chevrolet for the inaugural race at the Daytona International Speedway road course as he saw his streak of 238 consecutive starts come to an end.

Grala, who had never previously competed in a Cup Series race, finished in an impressive seventh place.

But ahead of the doubleheader weekend at Dover International Speedway, Dillon has confirmed that he has been cleared to race again.

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The 30-year-old Welcome, North Carolina native, who opted to take a test last week after experiencing mild symptoms of COVID-19, tested negative for the virus twice over a period of more than 24 hours, and he received written clearance to resume racing activity from his personal physician.

Here is what Richard Childress Racing had to say about Dillon’s status in a team statement.

"“Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon will return to competition for this weekend’s doubleheader at Dover International Speedway. Dillon, who originally tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday morning, August 15 and missed the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course, has worked with NASCAR, his primary care physician and RCR’s health partners at Wake-Forest Baptist Health, and has had two negative COVID-19 test results at least 24 hours apart. We commend NASCAR for their efforts in providing a safe environment for all fans and competitors, thank everyone in the industry for their well wishes and enthusiastically welcome Austin Dillon back to competition.”"

Dillon was the second Cup Series driver to miss a race this season after testing positive for COVID-19. Hendrick Motorsports’ Jimmie Johnson missed the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway back in early July for that reason.

Through 23 races this season, Dillon sits in 18th place in the point standings and ninth in the playoff picture.

Both races of this weekend’s doubleheader are called the Drydene 311, and both are set to be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET. Be sure to catch all of the action on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23.