Shop
Jimmie Johnson has drawn the second Caution period of Fast Friday after glancing the wall at Indianapolis.
The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion scuffed the wall exiting Turn 2, almost 90 minutes into the session.
Despite the mark which the #48 Chip Ganassi Racing entry left on the barrier, Johnson was able to drive back to the lane.
Team-mate Marcus Ericsson was heard telling the Indy 500 rookie, “That’s the way to hit,” after he had exited his car.
Johnson is hardly the only driver to struggle with Turn 2 so far, with wind gusts exceeding 50km/h creating a significant challenge.
“I was just trying to understand the low-downforce trim setting and obviously the wind direction is pretty massive today,” he explained back in the lane.
“So, I felt like I had the corner made and I think that’s why I touched the wall so square.
“But just late exit, I think the wind was to my backside, and I just needed six more inches out there and I didn’t have it.”
Johnson added, “It was just a touch with the side; certainly not something I want to do [but] certainly got away with one at these speeds, but live and learn, here we go.”
Thus far, only Pato O’Ward (McLaren SP) has completed a four-lap run, and even that dropped from a 231.798mph (373.043km/h) on the first lap to a 227.854mph (366.695km/h) on the fourth, with a 230.111mph (370.328km/h) average over the run.
Alexander Rossi (Andretti Autosport) has the fastest single lap, a 231.883mph.
During the first hour, there was a Caution period of around 30 minutes due to Race Control losing power.
‘@JimmieJohnson hits the wall in #Indy500 practice.
“That’s about as good as you can hit the wall at Indianapolis and get away with it,” says @Hinchtown.
📺 : @PeacockTV pic.twitter.com/VYAojfsVJp
— IndyCar on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 20, 2022
