Jimmie Johnson recharging for Indy 500 with a trip to see ‘Team Johnson’ in Charlotte

INDIANAPOLIS – At the conclusion of Monday’s two-hour practice session for the 106th Indy 500, the 33 drivers in the starting lineup all had media and sponsor duties over the next 48 hours before Carb Day.

Several top names were headed to New York, and others will took care of business in Indianapolis to prepare for Sunday’s Indy 500.

Jimmie Johnson, however, had “Carolina on his Mind.”

The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion boarded his private plane and flew back to his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, to spend time with his wife, Chandra, and daughters, Genevieve and Lydia (he also been working at Indy with his father, Gary, one of his spotters for practices and the race).

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It’s one way to clear his mind and prepare for one of the biggest challenges in his racing career as he starts 12th in Sunday’s race (11 a.m. ET, NBC).

“I’d be on my way now, if I didn’t have plenty of debriefing to do,” Johnson, who has been commuting from Indy to Carolina for much of the month, said after practice Monday. “It’s going to be nice to get home. My wife was out of the country for a week, and I saw her and the kids briefly for a couple of hours on qualifying day, and that’s been it.

“I’m eager to get home, see Team Johnson and get some time with them. Help out around the house. Chani has been super mom trying to do what she does for her career, plus the kids, plus support me. It will be nice to get home for a couple of days.”

On the track, Monday’s two-hour practice session was very important as Johnson’s team hones in on race setup instead of qualification speed.

Johnson’s No. 48 Carvana/American Legion