A lot is at stake as the NASCAR playoffs are already underway. Every season, drivers hope their shot at the title is not wrecked by a major crash or other such issues during the Playoffs. This year, however, they have another aspect to worry about.

NASCAR has not eased its Coronavirus protocols for the Playoffs. As per the guidelines, if a driver tests positive for the virus, he cannot return to the track unless he turns in two negative tests in 24 hours or a 10-day period.

Extra caution, the need of the hour for NASCAR Playoffs drivers

NASCAR does not disqualify a driver from the competition for testing positive. But it also does not give them any points while sidelined. Also, the current format means if a driver is sidelined, he will miss out on crucial Playoffs points.

During the regular season, Jimmie Johnson and Austin Dillon both tested positive for COVID-19. They missed one race each and did not earn any points for those races. Drivers cannot afford for that to happen in the Playoffs, as missing even a single race can end their title bid.

While pre-season testing and continuous testing of players are mandatory in many other sports, NASCAR did not make any such rules for their drivers. They left the onus on drivers to ensure their own safety.

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However, there is no room for complacency for the drivers as the Playoffs are underway. “I’m probably not going to go to college and hit up a keg stand. If you have COVID, you can’t race. It’s not a judgment call,” Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer said.

Joey Logano also does not want to take things lightly. He said every driver should be extra cautious in these 10 weeks.

“Our safety needs to be the utmost concern, not just for ourselves, but in a selfless way we need to be smart about testing. We also need to be smart about who we see and how we do things.

“As the world is starting to open up slowly, I think for these 10 weeks I probably still need to be smart about it because my season is on the line,” Logano said.

NASCAR has time and again shown confidence in its strategy of handling the Coronavirus issue. But with the authorities, the drivers also need to be careful, especially with so much at stake in the Playoffs.