Since sporting events returned after a three month lockdown, the NFL and MLB at times have struggled to maintain proper protocols and avoid outbreaks of the Covid-19 virus. But NASCAR has had very few incidents of a positive diagnosis and no extended absences for illness due to the virus…
However, the Hendrick Motorsports number 24 team has had a mini outbreak of positive tests from the “over-the-wall” crew that pits William Byron’s car during races.
After a three day delay due to wet weather conditions, NASCAR finally completed the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway completed on Wednesday October 28. Due to the positive testing, the five member pit crew did not service Byron’s car in Texas and will not be on hand to crew the car during the race at Martinsville on Sunday.
Since returning to racing, the racing teams have kept road crew and shop crews separated with personnel limiting face to face communication to avoid any major outbreaks. HMS reports that no other members of the 24 team have been affected.
Staffed by HMS, members of the number 47 team will crew Byron’s number 24 car in Martinsville.
Like all of NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports follows strict protocols based on recommendations from the CDC, OSHA and the NCDHHS (North Carolina Health Services).
A member of the 95 crew woke up Wednesday not feeling well but tested negative for the virus and the crew was allowed to service Christopher Bell’s car during the race.
feature photo credit: By Zach Catanzareti Photo – martin truex jr. william byron, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=90712622