Jimmie Johnson cleared to race following negative COVID-19 tests

After testing positive for COVID-19 last week and missing the Brickyard 400, seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson will return to the track this weekend. 

The 44-year-old tested negative for the coronavirus twice, according to the Associated Press, and has been cleared to race at Kentucky Speedway on Sunday. 

Johnson missed the first race of his career after testing positive, breaking his streak of 663 consecutive starts. The driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet was the first NASCAR driver to test positive for the virus since racers returned to the track in May. 

He still is eligible for the playoffs, and NASCAR has granted him a waiver to miss races because of the virus. However, missing the Brickyard 400 dropped Johnson to 15th in the standings, though he's 46 points above the cutoff for the playoffs.

This is Johnson's final full-time season in NASCAR. He's tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most Cup Series championships. He's won 83 races in 666 Cup Series starts.