IN BRIEF Johnson gets OK to race at Kentucky
7-time Cup champ negative on last 2 COVID-19 tests
Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has twice tested negative for the coronavirus and will race Sunday at Kentucky Speedway.
Johnson missed the first race of his Cup career when he tested positive Friday. He was tested after his wife received a positive result.
Hendrick Motorsports said Johnson tested negative Monday and Tuesday and will return to the No. 48 Chevrolet at Kentucky. NASCAR confirmed Wednesday that Johnson has been cleared to return.
“It’s been an emotional journey and I’m so happy to be back,” he tweeted.
Johnson’s streak of 663 consecutive starts — most among active drivers — was snapped when he didn’t race Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Johnson is the only NASCAR driver to test positive for the coronavirus since the series resumed racing May 17. He’s scheduled to retire from full-time NASCAR competition at the end of this season.
“My family is so grateful for the incredible love and support we’ve received over the last several days,” he said. “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.”
Johnson never experienced any symptoms; his wife, Chani, was tested after suffering from what she thought was routine seasonal allergies. When she received her positive result, Johnson and their two young daughters were tested. Their daughters were negative.
Missing the Brickyard 400 dropped Johnson to 15th in the driver standings, 46 points above the cutoff for playoffs. ■ NASCAR will move its August road course race from Watkins Glen in upstate New York because of state health restrictions, and the event will shift instead to the road course at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The move means the Cup Series will make its debut on Daytona’s road course, which is used by the IMSA sports car series and incorporates part of the famed 2.5-mile oval. The race on Aug. 16 was necessary to move from Watkins Glen because NASCAR cannot meet New York’s quarantine requirements for out-of-state visitors.
Baseball: The Padres announced that newly acquired INF Jorge Mateo’s intake test for coronavirus came back positive and he’s experienced symptoms. Mateo was acquired last week from the A’s for a player to be named or cash in the first trade since the transaction freeze was lifted. Mateo hasn’t been to the ballpark and is self-isolating.
College football: North Carolina shut down voluntary activities after the Orange County Heath Department identified the campus as a “cluster” for the coronavirus. The school announced that 37 people within Tar Heels athletics tested positive for the virus. The football program will shut down voluntary workouts for at least a week, according to the release . ... Northwestern announced that its game against Wisconsin scheduled for Nov. 7 at Wrigley Field in Chicago will be moved to Ryan Field on Northwestern’s campus in Evanston because of uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Soccer: Barcelona kept its hopes alive for a third straight La Liga title with a 1-0 win in the city derby against Espanyol, sealing the rival’s relegation for the first time in nearly three decades. Luis Suarez scored the winning goal early in the second half to move Barca within a point of leader Real Madrid and send Espanyol to the second division after 26 straight seasons in the top flight. Real Madrid can reclaim a four-point lead with three rounds left with a home win against relegation-threatened Alaves on Friday. Madrid, seeking its first league title in three years, has a perfect record since the league resumed following the coronavirus break. Only a win in the city derby could have kept last-place Espanyol with a chance of staying in the top tier. The club hasn’t played in the second division since 1993-1994.