Pit Pass: Paralyzed racer Michael Johnson returns to the track

This has been a significant week for what could be the next generation of IndyCar Series drivers.

Start with Michael Johnson, the Pro Mazda driver who fractured his hip and pelvis during the opening minutes of practice at the season's first race, in St. Petersburg, Fla. He was hospitalized three weeks before enduring a difficult post-surgery recovery at his home in Flint, Mich.

Johnson, 22, actually returned to a race car a few weeks ago, but that was being on a track alone to shake the nervousness. This week's two-day session was at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with other drivers around him.

Of course, the story behind the story is that Johnson was paralyzed in a motorcycle racing accident when he was 12.

"Being able to be on track with traffic gave me that urge to push every lap," Johnson said of the Mid-Ohio test. "I obviously still have a lot to pick up on ... but my old driving style is coming back."

Regaining confidence was "a big win," said Johnson, who hopes to be in the field when the series returns to Mid-Ohio during IndyCar's July 31-Aug. 2 event.

The week's second story centers on Matthew Brabham's first official IndyCar Series test, held at Iowa Speedway with Andretti Autosport, which also ran Marco Andretti.

Brabham, the 21-year-old son of former IndyCar driver Geoff Brabham, was up to speed by his second run, and he assisted with aerodynamic testing in preparation for the July 17-18 event at the track. Andretti won there in 2011.

Brabham, a former USF2000 and Pro Mazda champion, finished fourth in Indy Lights last season, and he was able to test with Michael Andretti's team as part of IndyCar's next-generation program that allows for two tests of current Indy Lights drivers per year.

For the record, Brabham drove an Indy car in April as part of Andretti Autosport's filming for a sponsor, and he drove the Indy Racing Experience's two-seater at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May. He hopes to compete in next year's 500.

Brabham is seeking to become the third third-generation 500 driver, following Andretti and Bill Vukovich III. Sir Jack Brabham made four starts from 1961-70; his son, Geoff, ran 10 500s from 1981-93.

CFH Racing also tested Luca Filippi, a road racer who finished second for the team in Toronto.

Etc.

Stat of the Week, from IndyCar, which reported that 50.7 percent of the season's passes (3,173 of 6,247) came in last weekend's race at Auto Club Speedway. ... Among the information delivered by IndyCar CEO Mark Miles in Wednesday's media availability: After realizing a 25 percent television viewership increase last season, Miles expects this season's numbers to be flat even though last weekend's race was the highest-rated for NBCSN since 2011 (512,000 viewers). Also, Miles described IndyCar's first aero kit season as "a mixed bag," with higher speeds and better competition but "brittle" front wings, more debris in accidents and trouble with supply and cost.

Follow Star reporter Curt Cavin on Facebook and Twitter: @curtcavin.