Aussie Will Power will miss the remainder of the IndyCar season after suffering two broken vertebrae in his lower back after a smash during practise at Infineon Raceway last weekend.
Contact between Ernesto Viso and Nelson Philippe left Philippe’s car stranded lenthways across the track, at the top of a blind crest. Seconds later Power arrived at high speed, and with nowhere to go, ended up smashing straight into the side of the car.
Power suffered from heavy concussion immediately after the incident, and has also sustained fractures to his second and fourth lumbar vertebrae. Penske team boss Tim Cindric confirmed the injuries sustained would put Power out for the remainder of the season.
“It’s unfortuante because we wanted to end the season on a high with him,” said Cindric. “We are working on a deal with him for next year.”
Power is still in hospital recovering from his injuries, at the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital in California. He will be transferred to a hospital in Indianapolis in the coming days and go through further tests under supervision of Dr Terry Trammell, the IRL’s orthopedic specialist.
Philippe was also affected by the accident, suffering milder concussion, a hairline fracture of his right fibula and a fractured left foot, but has already been released from hospital and is expected to make a return later this year.
