During the Monday afternoon practise session for the Indy 500, the first serious crash of the moth of May happened, with important consequences for one of the drivers taking part in the competition.
At 2:11 pm, with 49 minutes to go in the session, Rahal Letterman Racing’s Katherine Legge and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s Stefan Wilson came into contact on the 2.5miles oval, with Legge hitting Wilson from behind and sending the both of them into the barriers at turn 1.
“The cars in front of me were checking up and I lifted as much as I could, downshifted, and hit the brakes, but that wasn’t enough,” she said.
Legge’s car went slightly in the air, but the British driver, checked by IndyCar’s medical staff, didn’t report any medical issues. Her car will be repaired without requiring the usage of the stand-in car. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Wilson.
Photo credits: Penske Entertainment | John Cote
The driver of car no. 24 never left the track and didn’t manage to exit the car on his own, with the medical team moving him with extreme caution and putting him on a stretcher. The Enghlisman was seen giving a thumbs up to the crowd.
In the report on his condition issued by Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, it was stated that Wilson, taken to the hospital after a first medical check on track, had broken a vertebrae in the crash:
“After being transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital for further tests, it was disclosed that Wilson suffered a fracture of the 12th thoracic vertebrae and will stay overnight at the hospital for further tests and observation.”
Unfortunately for the driver who had qualified in P25, Wilson won’t be able to take part in the 500 miles of Indianapolis: “Based on this type of injury, Wilson will not be allowed to compete in this Sunday’s 107th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.”
The team also communicated that the substitute driver for car no. 24 will be announced “in due course”. Wilson’s replacement will have to start the race from the last spot on the grid. Among the most rumoured names are JR Hildebrand, who has already driven for the team, and bumped out Graham Rahal. His name will be announced at 10 am ET by Dreyer & Reinbold Racing,
