LONG BEACH, California – In a Saturday morning practice session for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach that was paced by Romain Grosjean’s fast speed in the closing laps, much of the focus was on the driver back in 26th position.
It was Jimmie Johnson in the No. 48 Carvana/Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing. He was diagnosed with a fracture of his right hand late Friday in what his driver coach, Scott Pruett, described as a common hand fracture.
Johnson’s hand was wrapped in medial tape so that he could compete in Saturday morning’s practice. He had three incidents in the practice session, including one with 12 minutes left when he hit the wall and was taken to the AMR Care Center for further evaluation.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he radioed to his crew after stuffing the Honda into the Turn 1 barrier but was able to get his hand off the wheel. “Damnit. Damnit. Damnit.”
Johnson was checked and released and plans to attempt to qualify in Saturday’s qualification session for Sunday’s race. That session begins at 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
“He was actually feeling pretty good and pretty comfortable trying to get a feel for a long run on the Reds (tires),” Johnson’s race strategist, Blair Julian, told SPEED SPORT. “He got pushing there and ended up in a bad spot. It seems like the hand is doing OK.
“He said he is fine. We’ll go back, put it back together and try again. You know these guys. He’s a competitor and will be pushing as hard as he can. His hand will hurt on Monday, but he will endure on Sunday. He’s a tough guy.”
Grosjean drove his No. 28 DHL Honda from Andretti Autosport to the fastest lap of the session, 1:05.6529 around the 11-turn, 1.968-mile street course.
“It was better than yesterday,” Grosjean said. “We made some steps in the right direction. We were able to get a good run on the Blacks and a good run on the Reds. I’m pretty happy where the car is. The track temperature is going to change. I’m really happy with the way things went.
“Right now, it’s a guess. We have a good baseline and I have the car where I like it to be. I’ve had some of the strengths with the Andretti car with the strengths we had with the Dale Coyne car last year and combined the two.
“We want to win races.”
Defending Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach winner Colton Herta was second fastest at 1:05.6971 in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda at 1:05.6971. Herta even had one spin during the practice session.
Two-time Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach winner Will Power of Team Penske was third at a 1:05.9383 in the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet.
Two-time Long Beach winner Alexander Rossi was fourth in the No. 27 NAPA/Auto Nation Honda for Andretti Autosport with a 1:05.9424.
Friday’s fastest driver, Simon Pagenaud, rounded out the top five with a 1:05.9989 in the No. 60 Auto Nation Honda at Meyer-Shank Racing.
Johnson intends to compete in Saturday’s qualifications and in Sunday’s 47th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
“I feel really good about it,” said the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. “I still have qualifying today and get through all that, but all indications right now are favorable. I feel great in the car.”
Johnson is having to grip the wheel with just two or three fingers instead of a full hand because of the splint he is using that was designed by IndyCar Safety Consultant and famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Terry Trammell.
“I don’t have a full grip going, but Terry Trammell is amazing,” Johnson said. “He knew exactly what to build, how to build it, where to position it. Great communication with him working on the splint. The cracked bone is better aligned now after wearing the splint and driving the race car than it was yesterday. Turns out the man knows what he’s doing.”
Johnson was able to get his hands off the steering wheel before Saturday’s impact. On Friday, he was unable to get his right hand off in time before the impact and that is what fractured his right hand.
“I let go,” Johnson said. “I didn’t get them far enough out of the way. So, I let go, and then with the impact, I guess my hands moved into the pathway of the wheel spinning and the bottom of the wheel.
“We took an X-ray on Saturday, and it was more displaced yesterday than it is now. The bone is more aligned and whatever movement to the bone, it’s more aligned than it was yesterday.”