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closePatrick's car hits, injures crewman; rookie driver also hospitalized
MIKE BRUDENELL
The Detroit Free Press
Friday, May. 09, 2008
Danica Patrick (right) walks out of the pit area after her car struck a crewman from Dale Coyne Racing during practice for the Indianapolis 500. Patrick was returning to her pit when her car struck Charles Buckman, who was taken to Methodist Hospital with a concussion and lacerations. Tom Strickland/The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS – Danica Patrick's car struck Dale Coyne Racing chief mechanic Chuck Buckman during a practice session Friday for the Indianapolis 500.
Patrick was pulling her No. 7 Dallara/Honda into her pit box when she hit Buckman, who was thrown into the air and appeared to strike his head on the left-rear tire of Patrick's car and then the pavement.
Buckman was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, suffering from a concussion, scalp lacerations and facial cuts, said a Speedway spokesman.
After a review of tapes of the incident, it was apparent Patrick's line of vision was obscured by another race car parked in front of her pit box.
"I really don't remember how it happened," Buckman said. "All I remember is I was talking with someone on Marco Andretti's team, and then everything is blank from that point. I will be OK and, hopefully, back at work in a day or two."
Later in the garage, Patrick, who drives for Andretti Green Racing, said: "You know, it is really, really unfortunate what happened today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Hopefully, he can get back to the track soon and be able to do what he loves."
Rookie driver Alex Lloyd (Rahal Letterman with Chip Ganassi) crashed heavily in Turn 1 earlier Friday and was transported to Methodist, complaining of a sore neck. A CAT scan revealed no fractures, but Lloyd, 23, was kept at the hospital as a precaution.