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 26
th 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.
Keyword: Grosjean Paces Long Beach, Johnson Struggles