INDIANAPOLIS - Stefan Wilson will not be able to compete in Sunday's Indianapolis 500 due to a fractured 12th thoracic spine he suffered during a practice crash on Monday with Katherine Legge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Turn 1. Dreyer and Rebold Racing announced this Monday evening.
"After being transported by ambulance to IU Health Methodist Hospital, it was revealed that Wilson had suffered a fracture in the 12th thoracic vertex. He will remain overnight for more tests and observation. The team stated that Wilson would not be able to compete in the 10th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race this Sunday due to this type of injury."The Dreyer and Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports will have more information soon."
Legge ran into the rear of Wilson's No. 24 Chevy with just under 49 minutes left in Monday's two-hour practice as the pair entered Turn 1 of the IMS oval. The pair were entering Turn 1 of the IMS oval with just 49 minutes remaining in Monday's 2-hour practice. She saw the single-file cars in the long line and tried to follow suit, but was unable to avoid Wilson spinning.
The Dreyer & Reinbold Racing vehicle then turned counter-clockwise just a few turns short of a complete turn before hitting the SAFER barrier outside Turn 1. Legge, the lone Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing racer who avoided Sunday's Last Chance Qualifier by backing into the wall and making initial contact with her No. The 44 Honda was able to snap and hit the wall with its entire right side. Her car's left side briefly flew into the air, but eventually, all four wheels returned. She slammed her car into the Turn 2 SAFER barricade again before coming to a full stop.
Legge, according to IndyCar reports, was seen and released by the infield care center of IMS. She then climbed out of her car on her own and walked to the safety truck to tell reporters that she was "fine" following the heavy impact.
The AMR Safety Team arrived at Wilson's vehicle and the driver was seen on the Peacock broadcast moving their hands and head. However, the safety team used extreme caution to extricate him, fitted him with a neck support, and then placed the British driver onto a stretcher. Wilson was seen giving the crowd a thumbs-up twice before he was rolled in the ambulance to IU Methodist Hospital in downtown Indianapolis.
IndyCar's medical director, Dr. Julia Vaizer, told reporters that Wilson is "doing very well", "in a good spirit" and has not had any "significant issues". She declined to provide any further details about his condition.
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