Sports
With a Glove in One Hand and a Sling in the Other, Jimmie Johnson Proves Once Again Why He’s One of the Few Old-Time Racecar Drivers
Without a doubt, Jimmie Johnson is one of the all-time greats. The seven-time NASCAR Cup champion is one of the last old-school racecar drivers who are unfazed by problems, even the serious ones that fall in the way of them pursuing their passion.
In Johnson’s case, this aspect of his personality was on display recently at Long Beach in the IndyCar weekend.
The thing is, while most racecar drivers decide to sit out a race with the littlest of problems or discomforts, Jimmie Johnson took his IndyCar into a practice session with a broken hand.
The former Hendrick driver had broken his right hand during a session on Friday as he crashed into the tire barriers while his hands remained on the steering wheel. Yet despite that, in less than two days, Johnson pulled on his racing glove on one hand, a piece of tape around the carbon fiber sling on the other, and he got back in the car.
After the session, Johnson tweeted, “Practice felt ok on the hand. I’m thankful that my ability to grip the wheel and maneuver the car is there.”
Practice felt ok on the hand. I’m thankful that my ability to grip the wheel and maneuver the car is there. pic.twitter.com/ZqpRUPXyZN
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) April 9, 2022
Jimmie Johnson felt nothing about the injury but bad about the crash
Speaking after his crash as he stepped outside the medical center, Jimmie Johnson insisted he had “no pain on track.” He explained how him going trying “to too fast” into Turn 1 and then locking up that pushed him wide led to his crash.
“I’m more disappointed in myself making the mistake and tearing up the car again, but from an injury standpoint, I feel really good,” he said.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 19: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, looks on during practice for the NTT IndyCar Series XPEL 375 at Texas Motor Speedway on March 19, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Jimmie Johnson described how he’s “just upset” with himself. “I know where I need to get better in these cars and how to attack, and that’s in the braking zones and releasing the brakes,” he added
“I hate making mistakes, and I’ve made two now [at Long Beach].”
The post With a Glove in One Hand and a Sling in the Other, Jimmie Johnson Proves Once Again Why He’s One of the Few Old-Time Racecar Drivers appeared first on EssentiallySports.
