INDIANAPOLIS — Stefan Wilson has been placed on a backboard after the driver from Sheffield, England was involved in a crash with Katherine Legge in turn one at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during Indianapolis 500 practice on Monday.
The crash occurred when Legge’s Honda ran into the back of Wilson’s Chevrolet as a line of faster cars was approaching. The two cars made contact near the apex of the turn and that sent both machines shooting up to the outside wall.
After both cars made very heavy contact into the outside wall, Legge’s No. 44 Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan briefly lifted off the ground before sliding through the south chute. Legge was able to get out of the car near turn two once the AMR Safety Team arrived.
Wilson, however, needed assistance from the AMR Safety Team. He was placed on a backboard, indicated a potential back injury. He was taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he is being evaluated.
Wilson’s No. 24 Chevrolet made a hard, nose-first crash into the wall.
It was the first crash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since the track opened for Indy 500 practice last Wednesday.
Legge’s crash adds to what has already been a miserable weekend for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, as Graham Rahal was bumped out of the 33-car starting lineup for this year’s Indy 500. Ironically, it was teammate Jack Harvey that bumped him out of the lineup.
Legge was the only Rahal Letterman Lanigan driver that had qualified into the field on Saturday’s first day of qualifications.
The Sheffield, England, native gave a thumbs up to the crowd from the stretcher while being wheeled to the ambulance.
Dr. Julia Vaizer, director of medical services for the NTT IndyCar Series, said Wilson was alert and communicating with medical personnel throughout the incident.
“I can tell you he’s doing well,” Vaizer said. “He’s being transported to local hospital for advanced imaging and further evaluation, but he’s in good spirits.”
Legge said she was OK after being evaluated at the IU Health Infield Medical Hospital.
“The cars in front were all checking up,” Legge said outside the IU Health Infield Care Center. “I lifted as much as I could and downshifted, hit the brakes, but it wasn’t enough as they were checking up. So I ran into the back of Stefan, and we both ended up in the wall.”
Legge said she was unsure of the backup situation at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Graham Rahal failed to qualify after he was bumped by teammate Jack Harvey on Sunday. Christian Lundgaard also had to qualifying through Last Chance Qualifying.
“I know it’s another blow to the team, though after yesterday, those guys don’t deserve it,” Legge said. “That’s not right.”
It was the first crash at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since the track opened for Indy 500 practice last Wednesday (after a Tuesday session was rained out).
Cusick Motorsports and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing are preparing the backup car for Sunday’s 107th Indianapolis 500.
It’s an all-black, two-year-old Dallara chassis equipped with a go-kart engine that was used by the team for pit stop practice.
That car will be stripped to the tub and replaced with the chassis setup and engine in time for Friday’s final Indianapolis 500 on Carb Day. That’s the final two-hour practice before Sunday’s 107th Indianapolis 500.