Jimmie Johnson Enters First Indianapolis 500 With An Eye On Making History

Jimmie Johnson needs to hitch an elite class on Sunday.

His eyes are set on hoisting the Borg Warner Trophy after Sunday’s 106th working of the Indianapolis 500. It’s a uncommon alternative for Johnson to hitch AJ Foyt and Mario Andretti as the one drivers to win this prestigious occasion and the Daytona 500.

Johnson will begin twelfth in his first-ever Indianapolis 500, competing within the No. 48 Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing. And although he’s a four-time Brickyard 400 winner, this go round at Indy is a special expertise for the record-tying seven-time Nascar Cup Sequence champion, as that is the quickest automobile he’s ever been in at 232.398 mph in Day 1 of qualifying.

“I wish to be aggressive,” Johnson mentioned on Thursday. “I feel we’ll be a participant.

“It might put me in one of the elite golf equipment as a driver to win a Daytona 500 and Indy 500. There’s two [drivers] who’ve achieved it. It might be insane.”

Johnson made the transfer to Chip Ganassi Racing and the NTT IndyCar Sequence final yr to compete solely on street programs after a historic 20-year NASCAR profession. As he turned extra comfy with the quicker and lighter racecars, he determined to try the total schedule, taking a threat and competing on ovals.

Ever since Johnson moved over to the IndyCar Sequence, followers, media and everybody alike wished to know if he would compete within the historic occasion. Now that he’s doing the unthinkable, he can’t get Sunday’s contest off his thoughts.

“I’ve been joking with household and mates that I’ve been on this Indy 500 vortex,” Johnson mentioned. “I’m in my very own little universe up right here. I went dwelling for a few days and it was good to recharge the battery and catch my breath. I had to ensure the remainder of life was so as, and I got here again right here to do it once more.”

All through Johnson’s swap into a special collection — in his mid-40s — he’s studying extra about himself. The month of Might, as he prepares for the Indianapolis 500, helped him perceive who he’s in the case of competing in IndyCar.

“I really feel like I’m seeing a sample that’s acquainted and comforting,” Johnson mentioned. “The sample is my understanding of race craft, vehicles and tracks that I’ve been by since I used to be a child. I all the time felt like I’m a little bit of a sluggish learner, however as soon as I study it, I get it. It took me 5 years of driving inventory vehicles earlier than I had the success that I did.

“I hope I’ve three or 4 extra years to achieve my peak. I definitely see and know the extra time I’ve in these vehicles, the extra aggressive I’ll be.”

Johnson believes he’ll keep within the NTT IndyCar Sequence for a number of extra seasons. His consolation stage in these sizzling rods continues to extend.

Nevertheless, as seen within the Carvana docuseries on Johnson’s season, he’s recovering from a horrific hand damage in the course of the Acura Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside weekend. It’s one of many worst accidents he’s ever had in his profession as a racecar driver.

“I’m grateful I had the screw put in,” he mentioned. “It’s been feeling significantly better and I feel I’m again to 100% now. I’ve damaged loads of bones, however that is the primary time the {hardware} stayed in. I had reconstructive knee surgical procedure, the place that they had to return at a later time and take out the pins and such. The screw you noticed stays there for all times.”

As Johnson prepares for the group of properly over 300,000 folks — probably the most he’s ever raced in entrance of — he’s thriving off the strain. He admitted he shall be nervous come race day, however that’s OK given what he does for a dwelling.

“I’m a fortunate man to say the least,” Johnson mentioned. “Chip’s group and the folks he’s put in every place – you get into my teammates and Dario Franchitti (driver coach) – I’m in the most effective place attainable and I’m so grateful for him.”

This weekend, Johnson shall be sporting a particular helmet with the American Legion forward of Memorial Day. He partnered with nation singer Blake Shelton to assist design the helmet, that includes Johnson’s two grandfathers and Shelton’s father and brother.

“Indy is particular,” Johnson mentioned. “Everybody tries to do one thing distinctive. We simply debuted it with Jimmy Fallon, and it seems to be actually good.”

The inexperienced flag for the Indianapolis 500 will wave on Sunday, Might 29 at 12:45 p.m. ET on NBC.