INDIANAPOLIS — Jimmie Johnson was inside a sauna at 120 levels and climbing as a part of an hourlong sweat session making ready him to race on sizzling summer time days. It is a part of a health program that requires psychological workouts to be accomplished whereas roasting contained in the sweat tub, however Johnson was knocking out cellphone calls as an alternative.

He wished to speak Wednesday about his first weekend on the Indianapolis 500, the place the seven-time NASCAR champion was a part of the NBC Sports activities broadcast staff over two days of qualifying. Johnson had by no means earlier than attended any a part of the Indy 500.

Had guidelines permitted, he simply may need kicked Tony Kanaan proper out of his automobile.

“I knew it was going to go somehow. I used to be both going to be completely towards oval racing or see that the subsequent reasonable step is a take a look at session,” Johnson instructed The Related Press.

What he discovered over the weekend is that the motive force strategy to the Indianapolis 500 isn’t in contrast to how his NASCAR friends head into races at Daytona and Talladega, the place speeds are larger and crashes widespread.

“I’ve in my thoughts that these IndyCar drivers enter these oval races like we do a restrictor-plate race, and it is a way more calculated and conservative strategy in an Indy automobile because of the dangers, because of the speeds,” Johnson stated. “I am understanding the surroundings much more and changing into extra comfy. I do not learn about Texas Motor Speedway, however for the Indy 500 itself, I am positively changing into extra comfy.”

Johnson might be again this weekend as a part of the NBC crew to investigate the Indy 500 and watch his 4 Ganassi teammates try to win Sunday. All 4 certified inside the primary three rows, with Scott Dixon on the pole and Kanaan, the oldest driver within the subject at 46, beginning fifth.

The irony is that Kanaan may not even be within the race if not for Johnson’s wild concept to retire from NASCAR and make a transfer to IndyCar on the age of 45. However Johnson wished to do street and road programs solely, which left 4 oval races open for the No. 48 Honda.

Now Kanaan is a contender for a second Indy 500 victory with a robust week round Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Kanaan has a renewed vitality to him this month — whilst he has joked Johnson is looming over his shoulder, probably wanting the automobile again instantly.

“I let my beard develop so Jimmie would not really feel that outdated. I understand how a lot he is struggling,” Kanaan stated. “The higher that I do, the extra Jimmie goes to wish to get within the automobile. I can see that. It is perhaps my final 12 months operating the 48 in all probability, if it goes the best way it is going.”

Johnson is not on the fence about, at minimal, testing on an oval and figuring out if that will get him an Indy 500 seat subsequent 12 months. This present association with Ganassi for each Johnson and Kanaan is 2 years, and Kanaan is prospering.

“We all know he is tremendous good, and we all know he is one of many guys to beat, and we all know he loves this race to dying,” Dixon stated of Kanaan. “The entire program when it got here collectively, it was simply the proper match for Tony, and nobody has had any doubt that he was going to be quick as hell at Indy. He is simply so relaxed and so excited to have a automobile that may win the race.”

That places Johnson in an odd spot as he soaks within the race Sunday as a broadcaster all whereas his want to be a participant in “The Best Spectacle in Racing” takes over. His spouse and two daughters will not be at Indy this weekend — Johnson’s spouse, Chani, additionally must log out on oval racing — however staff proprietor Chip Ganassi understands a take a look at is probably going on an upcoming schedule.

And identical factor for CGR, what does the staff appear to be? We have had growth. Will we broaden extra? So we’ll see in a few months the place all of it nets out.”