FORT WORTH, Tex – Seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson was taken to the infield care center shortly after winning the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500.
Johnson, who won his seventh race at the 1.5-mile track, clearly was exhausted when he climbed from his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet in Victory Lane.
Johnson told FOX after the race that his fluid system broke early in the 500-mile race.
“Oh, it was hot in there. I got cooked in the car today,” he said. “I didn’t have any fluids so I’m not feeling the best, but we got into Victory Lane. I’m so proud of the fight in this race team. I can’t wait to celebrate during this off-weekend with my family and friends and really enjoy this.”
Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr., said his air flow system was broken and also complained of the heat inside his No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet. Despite showing signs of fatigue, Earnhardt did not visit the infield care center post-race.
The ambient temperature in Fort Worth were in the mid-80s, but inside the car, temperatures have been known to rise to 150 degrees or hotter running at about 180 mph on top of asphalt, new asphalt at that.
Widely known as one of the fittest drivers on the circuit, Johnson often shares his workout and / or off-track activities on social media, from biking to skiing to running and even swimming.
During his post-race press conference with the media, crew chief Chad Knaus said he wasn’t sure what directly caused the fluid system failure.
“To be frank I don’t know what that is yet,” he said. “We’ve got to look at it and see what’s happened there. I don’t I really don’t know. I can’t comment on too much because I don’t really know what happened. Jimmie felt like it was an isolated situation, but I really don’t know a heck of a lot yet.
“He was hot after the race. He’s a pretty tidy, lean, neat guy, and when things get hot, he can get hot pretty quick, but we got him cooled off and he’s looking good. He’s ready to go have a weekend off like the rest of us.”
NASCAR announced that Johnson was treated and released from the track’s infield care center just after 7:00 p.m. eastern time.
During his winning press conference, Johnson said he was treated with three bags of intravenous (IV) fluid.
“I thought I was ‑‑ I had heat issues,” Johnson said. “I got out of the car and I was really hot, and I felt much better there and was on the right path, I felt like. And then I was doing an interview with Claire (B. Lang / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), and I felt my back lock up and then my chest and my arms, and I was starting to cramp everywhere. That was an immediate trip to the infield care center to get some IVs. I had three bags of IV and feeling a ton better now.
Johnson said he was unaware why his unit malfunctioned.
“I don’t know exactly why it wasn’t working, but I have a button, and there’s an electric motor that pushes my Gatorade to a bite valve that I have in my helmet,” he explained. “I pushed the button and nothing happened. I don’t know why or what failed, but it happened, I guess we had a caution lap 3 or something, and I pointed out to my guys that my drink system wasn’t working, so I just didn’t have any fluids. Stage 1 and 2, they handed me a small bottle of Gatorade, which I drank, but the 160 laps at the end or whatever it was, I just didn’t have any fluids at all in the car.
“I knew I was warm, but I didn’t feel too bad. When I caught Joey and was racing with Joey, I started cramping pretty good on my left side, my chest and my biceps, my forearm, and I knew I was real low on fluids, and I got out of the car, and I was okay, certainly hot, but then again, when I started doing some other interviews in Victory Lane, big muscles started cramping, and I knew I needed to go get some IV then, some fluids.”
In September 2014, the reigning series champion was treated for dehydration at Richmond International Raceway in the final race of the regular season in what he called a “scary moment.”
Johnson’s triumph on Sunday gives him 81 in his career in the Cup Series. He trails Cale Yarborough, in fifth place of all-time winners, by two.
Before trying for his 82nd in the Food City 500 at Bristol, Johnson plans to relax with family and friends in Mexico.
“Taking a trip to ‑‑ since we’re so close to the border we’re heading down into Mexico tomorrow, taking a little Easter trip with some friends, and definitely get in some margaritas and some chips and guacamole and a sunburn,” he said with a smile. “I doubt I’ll be tan when I come back. I’m either red or white, so I’ll show up with a nice sunburn at Bristol.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
