Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson had all he could do to physically make it to the finish of Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway.
Battling daytime temperatures in the 90s and humid conditions throughout the evening in Richmond, Johnson needed to be taken by rolling stretcher to the infield care center where he was treated for dehydration. “(I’m) not exactly sure what led to it,” said Johnson, after being treated with five liters of IV fluid. “I started cramping when I got out of the race car.”
Johnson, who had qualified third, ran in the top 15 all night and finished eighth. Upon exiting the car, he had difficulty standing and, at one point, was lying on his back. Helped to his feet by crew members, he once again went to the pavement before being taken for medical assistance.
“I was trying to stand up — because I was fine when I sat down — then I would stand up and I would get dizzy,” he said. “When I would sit back down I would start to cramp up again.
“I was hot in the car, so I will have to make sure all my fans were working and stuff like that. (It was a) scary moment but I have to learn from it and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
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