Johnson cuts finger during Rolex 24 race at Daytona Three-time reigning Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson required repair of a tendon and nerve after cutting his left middle finger with a kitchen knife Sunday afternoon in Daytona Beach, Fla., while p
Three-time reigning Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson required repair of a tendon and nerve after cutting his left middle finger with a kitchen knife Sunday afternoon in Daytona Beach, Fla., while preparing to compete in the final segment of the Rolex 24 sports-car series race.
The injury occurred above the knuckle and happened while Johnson was attempting to cut a small hole in his firesuit in order to feed a tube from a cooling shirt through the pocket of his suit.
"It got me pretty good," Johnson told The Associated Press. "Cut right through the fabric to where my finger was on the other side."
Johnson did not drive his final stint in the race, turning the car over to teammate Jimmy Vasser. The four-man team of Johnson, Vasser, Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney finished seventh in its class for GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing.
Johnson flew from Daytona Beach to Charlotte for further evaluation and outpatient treatment with a hand specialist at Carolinas Medical Center. The injury will not keep Johnson from driving in the season's first Sprint Cup event Feb. 7 at Daytona International Speedway.
"That certainly wasn't the way I wanted to end the Rolex race," Johnson said. "I really appreciate all the hard work by the guys this weekend. I'm just sorry I wasn't there at the end with them. The doctors did a great job in Daytona and Charlotte and I can't thank them enough. Everything feels good and I'll be ready to roll for Daytona."
Johnson was scheduled to appear on Late Night with Conan O'Brien Monday night and will co-host his Super Skins charity golf tournament and party with Nick Lachey this weekend in Tampa, Fla.
Johnson became just the second driver in Cup Series history to win three consecutive titles in November. He tied Cale Yarborough, who won his titles from 1975-78.
This is Johnson's second offseason injury since he began his string of championships: He broke his left wrist following his first title when he fell from the top of a golf cart during a charity tournament. Johnson didn't miss any seat time because of that injury.
