An ill Jimmie Johnson collapsed and needed medical assistance following the Federated Auto Parts 400 Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.
After finishing eighth in hot and humid conditions, Johnson climbed from his car and proceeded to lie down on pit road experiencing cramps and dizziness. He was then lifted by his crew and walked over to an awaiting cart, according to video.
Johnson was transported to the infield care center where he was treated for dehydration and given five liters of intravenous fluids. He said he felt no ill effects in the car, but thought there might have been an issue with his cooling system.
“I started cramping when I got out of the race car, Johnson said. “Then when I was cramping I was trying to stand up because I was fine when I sat down then I would stand up and I would get dizzy. When I would sit back down I would start to cramp again. Just really dehydrated.”
Johnson was originally scheduled to take part in a sprint triathlon to benefit the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Sunday, but he has withdrawn.
“There is something that went wrong today,” Johnson said. “It could have been my own nutrition plan. I felt like I came in plenty hydrated. We will have to make sure that all the fans and stuff were working in the car. I was warm at the midway point and didn’t feel like my helmet fan was working. That could definitely cause an issue.”
Johnson wasn’t the lone driver who struggled staying hydrated in a 300-mile race featuring just four cautions.
“I know there’s a couple times throughout the race when I felt like I was kind of cramping a little bit, as well,” said second-place finisher Jeff Gordon. “It was hot out there. We were losing a lot of fluids. They were long green-flag runs. It was hard to keep your fluids going.”