Stefan Wilson, who was set to compete in this year’s Indianapolis 500, will miss the event after sustaining a fractured 12th thoracic vertebra in a practice crash with Katherine Legge on Monday. The incident occurred during a single-file line, with Legge hitting the back of Wilson’s car, causing both to hit the wall. Wilson was transported to hospital for further tests and observation, while Legge was released from the infield care centre after confirming she was unharmed. The Dreyer and Reinbold Racing team officially confirmed that Wilson would not be able to compete in the race, leaving open the question of who would step into his car. Wilson’s brother Justin died during a race at Pocono in 2015.
Graham Rahal, who failed to qualify for the race, will replace the injured Wilson for the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team, with the decision made by team principal Bobby Rahal. The replacement was made possible after an agreement was reached between involved teams and manufacturers to allow Graham Rahal to take Wilson’s place despite his car finishing in the original drivers’ positions. This means he will start at the back of the field on Sunday, with drivers originally slated between 26th and 33rd moving up a place on the grid. Despite having spent his entire racing career with Honda engines, Rahal expressed excitement about the challenge and assured reporters that “motorsports is one of the few sports where there are no guarantees ever.”
The Indianapolis 500, the largest gathering of its kind in the US since the pandemic took hold, is expected to generate more than $100m in revenue and will feature a crowd of 135,000 people. The event, which is part of the 2021 IndyCar season, will take place on May 30. Pole-sitter is Alex Palou, with Pato O’Ward sharing his dissatisfaction with tyre inconsistency during practice runs.
Safety measures such as temperature checks, mask mandates, and social distancing measures will be implemented for the race, marking a significant change from last year’s event, which took place behind closed doors due to the pandemic. British racing driver Katherine Legge will be the only woman competing in the Indy 500 this year, following the withdrawal of Simona de Silvestro from Paretta Autosport. Legge, who has competed in two previous Indy 500s with a best finish of 22nd place in 2012, will replace Justin Wilson, with whom she previously shared a car before his tragic death during a race in August.
In conclusion, the absence of Stefan Wilson has created a significant impact on the race. Though his replacement has been made possible, it is a reminder of the potential dangers of the sport and the importance of prioritizing safety. As the race approaches, all eyes will be on the drivers as they compete in one of the most legendary events in racing history.
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