In Monday’s Indy 500 practice session, Stefan Wilson was involved in a crash with Katherine Legge in the first turn of the IMS speedway.
Both cars impacted the outside SAFER barrier hard, but Wilson suffered the hardest impact as his Dreyer & Reinbold Racing / Cusick Motorsports Chevy hit the wall straight on, nose first.
The 33-year-old had to be extracted from his car by the AMR safety crew, and he was taken to a local hospital immediately for a close examination.
After initially only getting word that Wilson was conscious and talking, his team put out a statement in the evening confirming that he sustained fractures in his middle back.
The injury is not one that heals quickly, and is also not one that Wilson would be able to race with. The team confirmed that he will not be participating in this year’s Indy 500 after qualifying in the 25th position.
The team has not yet announced a decision on if they will participate with a different driver behind the wheel of the team’s backup car, and who that driver would be if so.
Legge was seen and released from the infield care center, suffering no major injuries. She will likely be cleared to compete in the Indy 500 next weekend.
The full statement from Wilson’s team is below:
“Update on driver Stefan Wilson following his incident Monday with Katherine Legge during the afternoon practice session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“At 2:11 PM, Wilson, driving the #24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing / Cusick Motorsports / CareKeepers Chevrolet, was struck from behind by Legge’s IndyCar and forced into the outside SAFER barrier in turn 1 at the 2.5-mile oval.
“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.
“Based on this type of injury, Wilson will not be allowed to compete in this Sunday’s 107th Indianapolis 500 mile race.
“The Dreyer & Reinbold Racing / Cusick Motorsports team will have more information in due course.”
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