Seven-time NASCAR champ Johnson cleared to return to racing
After recently testing positive for COVID-19, Jimmie Johnson has been cleared to return to racing, starting with Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kentucky Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday.
NASCAR announced Friday that Johnson tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and he missed the Sunday’s Brickyard 400 — officially called the Big
Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 — at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was the first time he missed a race in his Cup Series career since he began racing full-time in 2002.
For the sport’s seventime champion to return to the track, NASCAR’s requirements, which follow current CDC guidelines, said Johnson needed to be asymptomatic — as he explained he has been — have two negative COVID-19 tests at least 24 hours apart and be cleared by his doctor.
Johnson never experienced COVID-19 symptoms, Hendrick Motorsports said, adding that he tested negative on Monday and Tuesday. The 44-year-old driver was then cleared by his physician Tuesday evening, the team noted.
“My family is so grateful for the incredible love and support we’ve received over the last several days,” Johnson said in a release from Hendrick Motorsports. “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.”
After Johnson initially tested positive, four Hendrick crew members were tested for COVID-19, and they all had negative results, the team said. So Johnson and the No. 48 Chevrolet team will have its regular roster competing in Sunday’s Kentucky race.