Stefan Wilson will miss the 107th Indianapolis 500. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
SPEEDWAY, Ind. – Stefan Wilson has been ruled out of Sunday’s 107th Indianapolis 500 after suffering a fracture of the 12th thoracic vertebrae during Monday’s practice session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports issued a statement Monday evening that Wilson’s injuries will deny him of making his fifth Indianapolis 500 start. The 33-year-old driver will be staying overnight at IU Health Methodist Hospital for further tests and observation.
The team’s statement also confirmed that, in “due course,” further announcements regarding the status of who will now drive the No. 24 Chevrolet, slated to start 23rd, will be made.
With under 49 minutes remaining, Wilson was involved in a crash with Katherine Legge in turn one where the two tangled, and sent his No. 24 CareKeepers Chevrolet into the wall. Legge also took a heavy impact towards the wall, but was able to exit her No. 44 Hendrickson Honda unassisted.
She would later be checked and released from the infield care center with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing crew repairing the No. 44 car instead of going to the backup.
Wilson, on the other hand, needed assistance as he the AMR Safety Team put him into a stretcher as he was able to give the crowd a thumb up, signaling he was awake and alert. INDYCAR Medical Director Dr. Julia Vaizer said Wilson remained in good spirits after the accident that ultimately led to his Month of May coming to an unfortunate close.
Following the crash, Wilson’s crew began working on the backup chassis at Gasoline Alley in preparation for Friday’s Carb Day and Race Day on Sunday.
In four previous Indy 500 starts, Wilson’s best finish is 15th when he drove for Andretti Autosport in 2018.
Update: Graham Rahal was announced as Wilson’s replacement in the No. 24 Chevrolet on Tuesday.
