Watch: IndyCar Driver Choppered to Hospital After One of the Nastiest Wrecks You'll Ever See
A horrific crash Sunday at the Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania resulted in one of the drivers being airlifted to a local hospital by helicopter.
At the ABC Supply 500 Series IndyCar race, driver Robert Wickens was trying to pass Ryan Hunter-Reay on lap six when he crashed into the wall.
HUGE CRASH in Pocono. Ryan Hunter-Reay & Robert Wickens collide, and Wickens gets into the fence. Shades of Scheckter and Brack in Texas 03. Red flag, long delay coming. #IndyCar #ABCSupply500 pic.twitter.com/6JxX0IncHB
— Blaynos (@Blaynos14) August 19, 2018
His car lifted into the air and spun like a propeller over the wall and into the safety fence along the track. It hit the fence and then launched back into the track, spinning as pieces of the vehicle flew everywhere, causing one other car to wipe out and others to avoid it.
The crash from Dixon's point of view. #ABCSupply500 pic.twitter.com/PRGG48QpDN
— Vincent Bruins 🧡 (@VincentJBruins) August 19, 2018
Thankfully, Wickens survived the crash, but had to be airlifted to a local hospital having suffered several injuries. News reports said he was “awake and alert” after the crash.
NEW DETAILS: IndyCar driver Robert Wickens is being treated for injuries to his lower extremities, right arm and spine following an accident early in a race at Pocono Speedway. pic.twitter.com/Mbrr1rHIje
— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) August 20, 2018
Schmidt Peterson Racin issued a statement Sunday night with an update on his condition.
“Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens is being treated for injuries to his lower extremities, right arm and spine following an incident in the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. He also sustained a pulmonary contusion.
Latest on Robert Wickens pic.twitter.com/38KKGqcqxD
— Will Esler (@WillEsler) August 20, 2018
“He will undergo an MRI and probable surgery at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest. Further updates on his condition will be provided when available,” the statement Schmidt Peterson continued.
Wickens’ fellow racers were concerned about his recovery.
“That’s the worst thing you can see. He’s hurt. He’s awake and alert, and at least he’s alive,” driver Sebastien Bourdais said, according to ESPN.
The race had to be stopped while crews cleaned up the track and repaired the fence. Alexander Rossi wound up winning, but wasn’t in the mood for a victory party.
“It’s tough to really celebrate after what happened,” Rossi said, reported ESPN.
Ryan Hunter-Reay, James Hinchcliffe and Pietro Fittipaldi explain the Robert Wickens horrific incident in #IndyCar's Pocono race. The whole motor racing community joined hands to wish him best: https://t.co/IR84WvaYNq #ABCSupply500 pic.twitter.com/L1DPRuB2DB
— FormulaRapida.net 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@FormulaRapidaEN) August 20, 2018
Several drivers, including James Hinchcliffe, Takuma Sato and Pietro Fittipaldi, were caught up in the wreck, but were not injured.
Praying for @robertwickens. Since the moment my car came to a stop after that horrific crash all I can think about is Robbie’s well being. Thinking about Karli and their whole family. He’s as tough as they come, I know he’ll be focused on getting back on track 🙏🏼
— Ryan Hunter-Reay (@RyanHunterReay) August 20, 2018
“I just hope Robert’s all right. I was lucky to get out of that one. He had a run out of Turn 1, came up along the side of me, but I was in the draft of [Will] Power in front of me, so I started pulling ahead,” Hunter-Reay told Formula Rapida.
“Once we got to Turn 2, he was at my left rear corner at best. I even gave room. I left a lane; left a half of a lane, if not more. I was pretty shocked I got hit in the back,” Hunter-Reay added. “That is neither here nor there right now. We’re just thinking about Robert.”
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