WRIST FRACTURE WILL NOT AFFECT NASCAR SEASON KICKOFF

Jimmie Johnson

CONCORD, N.C. (Dec. 10, 2006) - Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson sustained a fracture to his left wrist Friday, but the injury is not expected to affect his status for NASCAR preseason testing or the Feb. 18 Daytona 500.

Johnson has withdrawn from the Dec. 16 Race of Champions Nations Cup at the Stade de France in Paris, but will attend the event to consult with Team USA.

"It's disappointing that I can't compete for Team USA in the Race of Champions," said Johnson, who helped capture the Nations Cup in 2002 with U.S. teammates Jeff Gordon and Colin Edwards. "But I'll definitely be in Paris to cheer them on and provide any support that I can."

Doctors treating Johnson in Charlotte noted the 2006 NEXTEL Cup Series champion could be cleared to drive a race car in four weeks. The injury occurred as Johnson participated in a charity golf outing in Lecanto, Fla.

"I was in a golf cart and the driver took a sharp turn," Johnson said. "I wasn't holding on tight enough, landed awkwardly on the ground and heard a little pop. It was a fluke deal, but fortunately we're in the off-season and I don't plan to miss any additional time (following the Race of Champions)."