How ironic that the guy she ran over was named Chuck!
INDIANAPOLIS -- IndyCar racing's biggest name was emotionally shaken Friday as Danica Patrick was involved in an incident on pit lane during Friday's practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when her car hit a crew member from another team in pit lane.
Patrick, who gained fame as the first female driver ever to win in a major close-course racing series when the IndyCar driver drove to victory at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan on April 19, came into the pits and hit Charles (Chuck) Buckman, the chief mechanic for Brazilian driver Mario Moraes at Dale Coyne Racing.
According to Dr. Mike Ollinger, the director of Medical Affairs for the Indy Racing League, Buckman suffered a concussion along with scalp and facial lacerations. He was transported to Methodist Hospital for treatment where he is being held overnight.
"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 to work in a day or two."
Sources in Gasoline Alley indicated Patrick and some of her crew members were distraught after the incident, which threw the crew member over her car before he went face down to the ground.
"It's really, really unfortunate what happened today," Patrick said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Hopefully he can get back to the track soon and do what he loves."
Patrick would not accept any questions after making her statement and Andretti Green Racing team members said they would not take any further questions on the incident "in the days to come."
Her teammate, Marco Andretti, commented on how congested pit area was during Friday's practice session after he was second quickest during Friday's session at 226.710 miles per hour. Scott Dixon was the fastest at 225.968 mph.
Andretti had a clear view of what happened.
"It's a dangerous situation; a crowded pit lane, a lot going on," Andretti said. "You don't like to see that kind of thing but it's not Danica's fault. Stuff happens. Racing is dangerous. We're very concerned and hopefully it will turn out good."
if some one is standing in the street its still my fault if i hit them...
He wasn't standing in the street, he was standing on a race track!! He should have been more aware of what was going on. It was his dumbass fault and hes damn lucky to be alive.
He wasn't standing in the street, he was standing on a race track!! He should have been more aware of what was going on. It was his dumbass fault and hes damn lucky to be alive.
so drivers should be pushing the limits on the pit lane durring a PRACTICE session? i agree he shouldnt have been there.. but she should have been looking where she was going...
so drivers should be pushing the limits on the pit lane durring a PRACTICE session? i agree he shouldnt have been there.. but she should have been looking where she was going...
I agree/disagree with you. She has a million things going through her head I'm sure and a number of things she has to do. All he had to do was to get the F outof her way when she pulled in and service the car. He should have been paying more attention. I hope he will be ok.
