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Jimmie Johnson getting 'more comfortable' with idea of racing in Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jimmie Johnson was inside a sauna at 120 degrees and climbing as part of an hourlong sweat session preparing him to race on hot summer days. It's part of a fitness program that calls for mental exercises to be completed while roasting inside the sweat bath, but Johnson was knocking out phone calls instead.

He wanted to talk Wednesday about his first weekend at the Indianapolis 500, where the seven-time NASCAR champion was part of the NBC Sports broadcast team over two days of qualifying. Johnson had never before attended any part of the Indy 500.