INDIANAPOLIS — Jimmie Johnson appeared each bit like a four-time race winner on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s historic oval Wednesday.

Solely this time, his blue No. 48 was an Indy automotive turning laps in extra of 215 mph.

The seven-time NASCAR champion climbed as excessive as No. 3 on the each day velocity chart earlier than ending the primary of two Indianapolis 500 take a look at classes pain-free. He instructed reporters he has been feeling good since medical doctors surgically inserted a screw into his damaged proper hand on April 11.

“I used to be shocked with how massive the screw was, however the ache was simply gone in such a short while after the surgical procedure,” Johnson stated on pit street. “However I did not have any comfortable tissue points, both.”

The 46-year-old Johnson nonetheless took some precautions — sporting protecting padding over a wrap round his injured hand. It definitely did not decelerate his automotive or his studying curve.

Johnson famous the ovals he prevented in his inaugural IndyCar season final yr put much less drive on his hand than the Lengthy Seashore avenue course, the place he drove with a splint after struggling the harm in a follow crash, or than he may endure at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama on Could 1.

Johnson made his first IndyCar oval begin final month at Texas, the place he posted his finest end, sixth, since switching collection. Now Johnson is again at Indianapolis lastly competing towards a few of the greatest names within the sport — four-time 500 champion Helio Castroneves, longtime fan favourite Tony Kanaan and six-time IndyCar champ Scott Dixon.

Not surprisingly, Johnson exceeded expectations on a a cold, windy day that started with a 90-minute delay amid morning rain. And when the inexperienced flag lastly waved, 2016 Indy 500 champ Alexander Rossi spun his No. 27 automotive within the warm-up lane.

Amid these tough situations, Johnson nonetheless posted the eighth-fastest non-tow lap within the first of three two-hour testing home windows — one for veterans, one for rookies and refresher programs, and one for everyone. Two-time 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya and Marco Andretti, the 2020 Indy pole winner and 2006 race runner-up, have been among the many eight drivers within the second group.

“When the climate is like this, so chilly, everybody’s automotive is wanting nice,” stated Castroneves, the Brazilian star who grew to become the fourth member of the four-time winners membership final Could. “Nevertheless it’s nice to start out with the take a look at, even with the climate.”

Johnson, after all, is sort of acquainted with ovals after spending 20 seasons in NASCAR. Amongst his 83 wins have been 4 on the Brickyard.

The distinction: Till Texas final month, he’d by no means turned laps at such excessive speeds, particularly at Indy.

But he appeared each bit as snug as Dixon, the New Zealand star, anticipated lengthy earlier than Johnson introduced he supposed to make his first Indy 500 begin Could 29.

“I believe seeing him right here final yr and seeing T.Ok. get within the automotive, you already knew he made his choice,” stated Dixon, Johnson’s teammate with Chip Ganassi Racing. “It simply took him a bit longer to say it.”

The place precisely Johnson shall be in 5 weeks stays to be seen.

One other take a look at is ready for Thursday, and Johnson plans to be proper again on the observe for extra driving.

“These two days are type of freebies for us,” Johnson stated. “We should not be making any excuses come Memorial Day, and I believe we’ll be OK.”