IndyCar announces zero positive tests for COVID-19 since series restart June 6 at Texas

Despite positive COVID-19 tests in NASCAR, Formula 1 and IMSA in recent weeks, IndyCar appears to have escaped transmission of the coronavirus within the 11 teams that have run at least one race  this season.

Since the one-day season-opening show at Texas Motor Speedway on June 6, which marked the start of IndyCar's detailed on-track and travel-related health and safety plan, series officials told IndyStar no one within the paddock — including team members in shops, members of the traveling crews, drivers or series officials — has tested positive for COVID-19.

"IndyCar has a rigorous process in place to protect the health and safety of our event participants," the series said in a statement, "and this includes strict reporting guidelines along with additional steps such as communication of CDC COVID guidance, mandatory face coverings, required distancing, daily temperature screenings and post-event follow-ups.”

Independently, IndyStar confirmed the lack of positive tests over the past two months with eight of the 11 teams. Ed Carpenter Racing and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing officials declined to comment, though both stated, separately, that they don't have any present concerns. A team spokesperson with Carlin could not be reached.

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Heading into races, members of the series received contact-less temperature checks ahead of travel and once touching down on-site. Masks have been required at all times, beyond eating, drinking or when drivers step into the car, and access to the garage-area and pit lane has been highly restricted. Interviews with TV partners have been done at a distance whenever possible, and other media access has been held through Zoom or on the phone.

In mid-July, IndyCar introduced fan attendance for its Road America doubleheader. There wasn't a limit set on ticket sales, and fans were allowed to spread across the grounds that surround the 4-mile track. Fans were also permitted for a doubleheader the following weekend at Iowa, and 4,000-5,000 spectators were evenly spread throughout the grandstands around the 7/8-mile track.

The only known incident involving series or team members dates to weeks before folks arrived in St. Petersburg. A member of the traveling crew for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing driver Sage Karam tested positive for the virus, according to a team spokesperson.

That team member, who lives in Michigan and is not part of the Indianapolis-area crew that regularly works in the team's shop, received the results with enough time to quarantine and get clearance to travel to St. Pete. The series was then put on hold for nearly three months with the postponement of the St. Pete race, along with the loss of races at Barber, Long Beach and Circuit of the Americas.

Without a testing plan for roughly 700 people who have regularly traveled to races, it's impossible to know whether anyone in the IndyCar paddock has had the virus at some point.

IndyCar and NASCAR have put members of the series under several contact-less temperature screenings during competition days and ahead of travel, rather than test them for the virus. Those folks also fill out a medical survey those days, verifying they haven't noticed any symptoms recently and haven't been in contact with anyone that was known to have tested positive. Following events, IndyCar has contacted teams to ensure that no one among their traveling contingents has developed symptoms.

The NBA has been operating for weeks inside a bubble in Orlando, where team and series officials, media members and others have undergone stringent COVID-19 testing measures. The MLB has already seen one team (the Miami Marlins) forced to postpone several  games due to at least 18 positive tests in their organization. The league has been using frequent testing, but is not operating in a bubble like the NHL, MLS or WNBA.

IndyCar and NASCAR have worked together and stayed in communication as their seasons roll on.

NASCAR has seen  three separate teams announce positive tests for COVID-19 since restarting its season in mid-May. Last month, Stewart-Haas Racing announced two of its team members had tested positive, though neither were part of their traveling crew for race days. Team Penske's NASCAR operation also announced in June that one member of its team had tested positive.

Most notably, Hendrick Motorsports announced July 3 that veteran driver Jimmie Johnson sought out a test — which came back positive — after his wife, Chandra, had tested positive. Johnson was forced to miss the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 5, as well as his planned IndyCar test with Chip Ganassi Racing on the IMS road course the following week. During a news conference July 4, Johnson revealed he had been inside Ganassi's shop earlier that week with a small contingent of team personnel to discuss his planned test.

The team couldn't confirm whether any team members were put into isolation following any contact with Johnson, though CGR technical director Julian Robertson, who also serves as Felix Rosenqvist's race-day engineer, was absent on the team's trip to Road America. In the second race that weekend, the Swedish driver secured the first victory of his IndyCar career with director of performance Chris Simmons filling in.

“There have been minimal incidents that based on medical guidance have required temporary isolation, and in some cases, testing," IndyCar said in a statement. "The results of those tests have all been negative.”

NASCAR announced July 8 that Johnson had cleared series protocols, including multiple negative tests, and was allowed to return to racing the following weekend at Kentucky.

Earlier this week, Johnson underwent his rescheduled IndyCar test with Ganassi. Team managing director Mike Hull and veteran driver Scott Dixon said it was a glowing success.

More on Jimmie Johnson:

• 'Third time's a charm': Jimmie Johnson impresses Ganassi team in first IndyCar test
• Johnson has "more questions than answers" after testing positive for COVID-19

Moving forward, IndyCar faces its most pressing test yet: an August that is set to include five races (including the Indy 500), along with seven days of Indy 500 practice and qualifications, where a smaller but still noticeable number of fans will be permitted in the garage area and on pit lane.

In preparation for the race, IMS initially limited fans to a maximum of 50% total capacity (or 175,000) in late June. Last week, it projected to have roughly 25% of the total seats or spaces in the grandstands, infield and suites (roughly 87,500) filled on race day.

Each day at the track, fans will undergo temperature screenings at the gate and will be given a complimentary mask and hand sanitizer upon entry. They'll be required to wear a mask throughout the facility when not eating or drinking, and social distancing policies have been put in place for areas where lines would form (bathrooms, concessions and retail). Entrance within the suites has been limited to 70% normal capacity, and seating in the grandstands has been spaced out within ticket groups and for all spectators.

"We have an aggressive plan in place, which has been developed through collaboration with national, state and local health experts," said Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles earlier this month. "Our outdoor facility is mammoth, and with attendance of about 25%, it will certainly look different this year."

The series elaborated Wednesday, after IU Health (the official healthcare provider for IMS) questioned having fans at the race. 

"IMS has put together a plan that will serve as a model for the careful and conscientious management of events during this pandemic," IMS said in an email. "It is informed by expert advice and reflects our belief that with carefully considered precautions in place, it’s not necessary or appropriate to return to shutting down events that are important to our state and city."  

Email IndyStar motor sports reporter Nathan Brown at nlbrown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @By_NathanBrown.