Castroneves hurt more than first thought (3rd Update)
08/14/13 IZOD IndyCar Series championship leader Helio Castroneves is likely a bit worse for wear right now after sustaining cuts to his legs and a neck sprain in an Aug. 9 practice accident at Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
The three-time Indianapolis 500 champ was preparing for a Stock Car Brasil street-course race when brake failure caused him to hit a concrete barrier and then go hard into a tire barrier.
He was able to get out of the car under his own power, but doctors ultimately kept him from racing in the main event last weekend at Ribeirao Preto.
According to Curt Cavin of The Indianapolis Star, Castroneves maintains that he was running at 120 miles per hour when the incident occurred and that the force of his impact was the highest ever recorded in series history.
“I did tell the guys that they needed to move the wall at the end of the straightaway; it was too close," Castroneves said to Cavin for a Star piece that came out yesterday. “I told them, ‘If somebody loses their brakes right there, he’s going to hit that wall hard.’" NBC Sports
08/10/13 SAO PAULO — Doctors have ordered IndyCar points leader Helio Castroneves to skip a stock car event in Brazil after he crashed hard in practice.
Castroneves wasn't seriously injured when the brakes on his car malfunctioned and he crashed into a tire barrier on Friday, but doctors said the three-time Indy 500 winner is still too sore to endure the street-circuit race in the city of Ribeirao Preto on Sunday.
Dr. Dino Altmann said Saturday that Castroneves is "not really physically fit to race" and that it would be too painful for him to try.
Castroneves sustained cuts to his shins and had pain in his neck after the head-on crash into a tire barrier, but he said "thankfully tests showed no serious injuries."
08/09/13 IndyCar points leader Helio Castroneves sustained minor injuries after crashing during practice for a stock car race in Brazil.
The three-time Indy 500 winner sustained cuts on his legs and had neck and back pain after the crash Friday in Ribeirao Preto.
He left the wrecked car on his own but was taken to a medical center in an ambulance as a precaution.
Castroneves' spokesman, Americo Teixeira, said the Penske Racing driver was doing well and the injuries were not serious. He said Castroneves was expected to compete in Sunday's race, although clearance from doctors would not be given until more tests were conducted on his neck and back.