Nascar Driver Jimmie Johnson was tested for the Coronavirus after his wife Chandra received a positive diagnosis, according to a NASCAR report. She reportedly experienced allergy-like symptoms, while her husband is asymptomatic.
The 44-y-o driver of the #48 is the first driver in any NASCAR series to test positive and the news Friday evening cast a shadow over the historic NASCAR-IndyCar doubleheader races coming up Saturday and Sunday.
Jimmie Johnson will be out for the Brickyard 400 race this weekend and IndyCar test with Chip Ganassi Racing schedule for July 8.
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Here’s Johnson Statement:
Johnson went and got tested today after learning wife Chani tested positive for COVID-19. NASCAR says he must have two negative COVID tests at least 24 hours apart before returning. This will end Johnson’s streak of 663 consecutive starts. pic.twitter.com/f1j17JbJOp
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) July 3, 2020
Johnson has featured in 663 conscutive NASCAR Cup Series starts — the longest streak among current drivers.
NASCAR’s rules state a driver must be symptom free and have two negative coronavirus tests in a 24-hour span to return.