adminTEXAS – Triple Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti was taken to hospital following a crash at the 2013 Houston Grand Prix that left several spectators injured.The Ganassi Racing driver’s car went airborne and destroyed a portion of the fence at the Houston Grand Prix, sending debris into the packed grandstand where spectators were cheering for final lap.
Franchitti suffered a concussion, injuries to his back and a broken ankle but was awake and alert when he was sent to hospital. He did not require surgery for the spinal fracture, IndyCar said in a statement.
Team owner Chip Ganassi said: “He’s talking. His ankle is a little sore.
“His back is a little sore. He’s going to take a trip to the hospital but he is OK.”
The crash came less than eight months after nearly 30 fans were injured at the Daytona International Speedway when a 10-car crash sent debris, including a tyre, into the crowd during the final lap of a Nationwide Nascar race.
It is also nearly two years since the motor racing world was left reeling when one of Franchitti’s best friends, Dan Wheldon, died after a fiery 15-car crash in the IndyCar season’s finale at Las Vegas.
Franchitti made contact with Japanese driver Takuma Sato on one of the final turns, sending the four-times IndyCar champion’s car into the protective fence before spinning several times, while debris was sprayed toward the stands.
Sato said: “On the last lap I caught the marbles and brushed the wall and lost momentum. A couple cars passed me as I was off-line and in Turn 5. I got very loose and Dario and I came together.”
An IndyCar official and two spectators were taken to hospital for evaluation and 11 others were assisted on site. Franchitti is a four-time IndyCar Series Champion in his fifth season with Ganassi Racing alongside double champion Scott Dixon.- Wheels24.
Online Reporter