Photo: Rick Dole / IMSA
Antonio Garcia tested positive for COVID-19 during the Rolex 24 in Daytona, it was revealed that he left Corvette Racing with a line of two drivers on the way to winning the GT Le Mans class on Sunday.
Garcia shared the pilot duties of the Chevrolet Corvette C8.R # 3 during the 17th hour of the Florida endurance classic until he was removed from the car when the results of a routine trip test returned to the team.
“As part of COVID’s international travel protocols, all drivers and team members traveling in and out of the United States are required to take a COVID test before and after any racing activity,” says a statement from Corvette Racing .
“Although Antonio Garcia tested negative in preparation for his arrival for the Rolex 24, we received a warning that he has now tested positive in preparation for leaving the country.
“He was immediately removed from the competition after being notified of the positive test result and, although he was not showing any symptoms, he will no longer participate in any additional race on the Rolex 24 in Daytona.
“After consulting with IMSA and its event operations protocols, the series determined that Corvette Racing met all conditions under the IMSA event protocols that allowed it to compete safely and responsibly.
“We will notify crew members and others who have had contact with Antonio and will do tests with members of the racing team after 72 hours, according to CDC guidelines.”
Garcia is the second driver to sign COVID-19 during the event after Michael De Quesada’s positive test, done a few hours before the start of the race, which also took him out of the cockpit.
De Quesada was replaced by Mike Skeen at the last minute, while Corvette was unable to bring in a replacement after the start of the race.
