Jimmie Johnson okay after health scare at Richmond

RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 06: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, lays next to his car after finishing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 6, 2014 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 06:  Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, lays next to his car after finishing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 6, 2014 in Richmond, Virginia.  (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA – SEPTEMBER 06: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, lays next to his car after finishing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway on September 6, 2014 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

It was an unexpected turn of events Saturday night. After the checkered flag fell on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway, the field for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field was set. As reporters scrambled to get post race reactions from the drivers on pit road, six time champion Jimmie Johnson could be seen climbing from his car; he slumped to the ground and lay prone for a moment before being helped up by crewmembers.

Johnson however wasn’t able to stand without help. Crewmen called for medical personnel and Johnson was helped to a waiting golf cart. There he could be seen laying on one side. He was rushed to the infield care center. As one of the most fit athletes in motor racing, it surprised many to see Johnson is trouble.

With temperatures in the 90s at Richmond the heat, the initial reports were that Johnson was suffering dehydration and was cramping.  It was something Johnson’s teammate ,Jeff Gordon, experienced. MORE>>>

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.