Associated Press
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. ó Three-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson underwent surgery to repair a tendon and nerve after cutting his left middle finger with a kitchen knife Sunday while preparing to compete in the final segment of the Rolex 24 sports car race.
A statement released by Johnson on Monday said the injury occurred above the knuckle and happened while he was attempting to cut a small hole in his firesuit in order to feed a tube from a cooling shirt through a pocket.
Johnson, whose team finished seventh, flew to Charlotte for further evaluation and outpatient treatment with a hand specialist at Carolinas Medical Center.
“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.”
The injury will not keep Johnson from driving in the Budweiser Shootout on Feb. 7 at Daytona.
Johnson said he would still appear as scheduled Monday on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and co-host his Super Skins charity golf tournament and party with Nick Lachey this weekend in Tampa, Fla.