Jimmie Johnson Undergoes Surgery to Repair Lacerated Hand

Three-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson's hand injury, suffered while competing in the weekend's Rolex 24 sports car race, required minor surgery Monday.

The injury, however, shouldn't slow the champ down.

Johnson cut his left middle finger with a knife just prior to his final driving stint in the sports car race early Sunday afternoon. He received stitches at Daytona International Speedway's infield care center and then flew immediately to his home in Charlotte, N.C. where a hand specialist performed out-patient surgery to repair a tendon and nerve on Monday.

Johnson cut his finger just above the knuckle with a kitchen knife while cutting a small hole in his fire suit to feed a tube from a cooling shirt through the pocket of his suit.

He made an appearance on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" Monday. He'll also co-host a Skins charity golf tournament with Nick Lachey Saturday in Tampa, Fla., during Super Bowl festivities. However, in light of the injury, he won't be teeing it up himself now.

Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports team released a statement Monday assuring that he will drive the No. 48 Lowe's Chevy in NASCAR's first Sprint Cup event, Feb. 7 -- the Budweiser Shootout, a non-points race at Daytona International Speedway.

"That certainly wasn't the way I wanted to end the Rolex race,'' said Johnson, whose GAINSCO Pontiac sports car team finished seventh overall. "I really appreciate all the hard work by the guys this weekend. I'm just sorry I wasn't there at the end with them.

"The doctors did a great job in Daytona and Charlotte and I can't thank them enough. Everything feels good and I'll be ready to roll for Daytona.''

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