Photo: Rick Dole / IMSA
Antonio Garcia tested positive for COVID-19 during the Rolex 24 in Daytona. It appears that Corvette Racing left behind a two-wheel drive series on Sunday on its way to the GT Le Mans victory.
Garcia shared the driving of the Chevrolet Corvette C8.R through the 17th hour of the Florida endurance ride classic until he was taken out of the car when the results of a routine travel test returned to the team.
“As part of international COVID travel protocols, all drivers and team members traveling to and from the U.S. must take a COVID test before and after any racing activity,” reads a statement from Corvette Racing.
“While Antonio Garcia tested negative in preparation for his arrival for the Rolex 24, we were informed that he now tested positive in preparation for leaving the country.
‘He was withdrawn from the competition immediately after notifying the positive test result, and although he is not experiencing any symptoms, he will no longer take part in any additional racing activities at the Rolex 24 in Daytona.
“After consulting with IMSA and its Event Operations protocols, the series has determined that Corvette Racing meets all the conditions under the IMSA event protocols that make it possible to compete in a safe and responsible manner.
“We have notified crew members and others who have had contact with Antonio and will test with race team members after 72 hours according to CDC guidelines.”
Garcia is the second rider to contract COVID-19 during the event after the positive test of Michael De Quesada starting a few hours before the race, which also forced him out of the cockpit.
De Quesada was replaced on the spur of the moment by Mike Skeen, while Corvette was unable to bring in a replacement once the race started.
