Jimmie Johnson said Tuesday he expects to be ready for next week’s oval Open Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and ensuing NTT INDYCAR SERIES races after undergoing outpatient surgery to address the right hand he fractured in last weekend’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Johnson suffered the injury in Friday’s practice on the streets of the Southern California city. Chip Ganassi Racing and Dr. Terry Trammell joined forces to design and build a carbon fiber splint that Johnson wore while competing the rest of the weekend. Johnson finished 20th in the No. 48 Carvana Honda.
SEE: Johnson Long Beach video recap, including building of hand splint
Johnson’s surgery in Charlotte, North Carolina, was performed by Dr. Glenn Gaston, Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship Director at OrthoCarolina.
The IMS test will be April 20-21 in preparation for the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Johnson is attempting to make his first start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” after competing only in road and street course races last season.
Johnson is 14th in the point standings after three races. He finished a career-best sixth in the XPEL 375 at Texas Motor Speedway on March 20.