Hunter-Reay released from hospital; drive status TBD
Ryan Hunter-Reay has been released from hospital following a qualifying crash for the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. Hunter-Reay sustained minor injuries to his hip and knee in the crash, but is not cleared to race; pending a medical re-evaluation on Sunday.
In a statement posted on the Andretti Autosport’s Twitter account, Hunter-Reay explained the cause of the crash in brief, saying the car “stepped out on me”. Hunter-Reay also thanked fans for their outpouring of support.
Twitter: Medical Update on @RyanHunterReay #ABCSupply500 #INDYCAR https://t.co/AoC4Xcl9Xh (@FollowAndretti)
If the 36-year-old is cleared to race, due to his non-qualification run, will start from the near the back of the 22-car field in P21. Two other drivers failed to put in qualifying times as a result of their own crashes. Helio Castroneves crashed into the SAFER barrier in Turn 1 early in qualifying; and Ed Carpenter went into the SAFER barrier at Turn 3 in Practice 1. Castroneves and Carpenter will start P20 and P22 respectively.
Carpenter starts behind Hunter-Reay and Castroneves per IndyCar regulation 8.1.8.6 which states:
If after the Starting Lineup has been determined, a Car has had its Qualifications time and/or original Starting Lineup position changed or disallowed, INDYCAR shall assign the Car a revised Starting Lineup position at the rear based on the following order:
Cars without a Rules violation and
Cars with a Rules violation.
Despite starting from the back, the 2012 IndyCar champion is optimistic Andretti have the pace to possibly win from the back. With fellow Andretti drivers Takuma Sato and Alexander Rossi securing pole and P6 respectively.
ABC Supply 500 Qualification order: