MADISON, Ill. — Chris Buescher has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the inaugural NASCAR Cup race Sunday in the St. Louis area.
RFK Racing said Thursday that Truck Series regular Zane Smith will replace Buescher in the No. 17 Ford at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.
Buescher is 21st in the points standings with three top-10 finishes, and is still in contention for a playoff berth. He was involved in a crash last Sunday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway in which his Ford flipped onto its roof and it took safety workers a long time to get Buescher from the car.
He was removed uninjured, but has since tested positive for COVID-19.
RFK said Buescher expects to be back in the car next weekend at Sonoma Raceway.
Smith, meanwhile, will make his Cup Series debut on Sunday. He has three wins and eight top-10 finishes in 10 starts in the Truck Series this season.
Smith will be the 24th driver for Jack Roush in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Everything you need to know about NASCAR in St. Louis
The biggest weekend in St. Louis racing history has arrived. And there is quite a bit to know about the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
From the actual NASCAR Cup race on Sunday, to the concerts, to the TV information and everything in between, there's a lot you may want to know.
For more information on the Enjoy Illinois 300, check out this guide put together by 5 On Your Side for all the need-to-knows on the NASCAR race at World Wide Technology Raceway.