Antonio Garcia, Corvette Racing driver and winner of this year’s GTLM class in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, has tested positive for COVID-19, Corvette Racing has announced.
Garcia was not a part of the team’s post-race celebrations, and shortly after a statement was released concerning his situation.
“While Antonio Garcia tested negative in preparation for his arrival for the Rolex 24, we have received notice that he has now tested positive in preparation to depart the country,” the Corvette Racing team statement said.
“He was immediately pulled from competition upon notification of the positive test result and, although he wasn’t experiencing any symptoms, will no longer participate in any additional race activities at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“Upon consulting with IMSA and its Event Operations Protocols, the series determined Corvette Racing met all conditions under the IMSA event protocols that allowed It to compete in a safe and responsible manner.
“We have notified crew members and others who had contact with Antonio and will conduct testing with racing team members after 72 hours, per CDC guidelines.”
Garcia was last in the #3 Corvette Racing C8.R at 8:57am local time, just over 17 hours into the race. He was able to complete three stints totaling almost eight hours, thus fulfilling his time requirements for participation.
It appears the positive result was received at this time of the race, and Garcia was sent to isolation while the team continued the race in his absence.
His team-mates Jordan Taylor and Nicky Catsburg drove the finishing stages of the race, and piloted the #3 to the line just ahead of team car #4 Corvette Racing C8.R, driven by Tommy Milner, Nick Tandy, and Alexander Sims.
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