WATCH: Jimmie Johnson Has a Massive Wreck in Qualifying for IMSA ’12 Hours of Sebring’

Jimmie Johnson may have retired from NASCAR, but he is still actively racing. Aside from his IndyCar gig, the veteran is also competing in endurance races. First and foremost, he raced in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, finishing in a respectable 2nd place. Now, Johnson and his co-drivers are competing at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Unfortunately, things are not quite going to plan for the 7-time Cup Series champion. During the qualifying session, he was pushing hard to get into the Top 4. Sadly, he overcooked it at Turn 16 and did a full 360° spin. Luckily, he managed to come to a stop without hitting anything and facing in the right direction.

A lap later, things got worse as he lost the rear end at Turn 17 and slid backwards into the wall. Naturally, the impact wrecked the rear of the car, though he was able to limp back to the pits. Speaking about the crash, he said, “Made a mistake. Was pushing to get into the Top 4 on my fastest lap. Had a mistake out of 16, spun, tried to get back going and didn’t realise how much trash I had on my tyres as I entered Turn 17.”

What can Jimmie Johnson do now?

As he tried to get another lap in, he lost the rear end and hit the wall. Now, he and the team have to prepare a new tub and add new parts and components. Jimmie Johnson acknowledged that the Sebring track was ‘brutal’ and they were lucky to have the luxury of a spare tub.

Now, he and the team have to build a brand new car in time for the race. Hopefully the team is able to give Johnson and his teammates a fully-functioning car on Sunday. Obviously, the 45-year-old will want to keep up his good endurance form and get some mileage in before his IndyCar career begins.

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