Wheldon uninjured in big crash at dangerous TMS

UPDATE #2 IRL vice president of public relations John Griffin said Wheldon has a sore right ankle. He is going to ice it this afternoon, then decide whether he can qualify the car during Friday's 5:45 p.m. qualifying session. Wheldon is scheduled to qualify eighth of 28 drivers. If he can't qualify and no replacement driver tries to qualify the car, he would be given a provisional spot and start last on Saturday night.

Wheldon hit the outside wall in Turn 4 and then barrel rolled into the infield grass. Safety workers quickly turned the car over and pulled Wheldon out, but he was limping as he was helped to the ambulance.

"My left foot really hit the tub very hard," Wheldon said. "Unfortunately, we had some type of [mechanical] failure. Something just broke and shot me straight into the wall. It's a shame because that car was incredibly strong."

06/06/08 Wheldon's x-ray proved negative. They are icing his ankle. No report if he is cleared to drive.

06/06/08

Medics tend to Dan Wheldon's destroyed car

Shawn Payne

With Eddie Gossage watching and eating his words about how the IRL should race on 80% ovals like his Texas Motor Speedway, Dan Wheldon's car veered off line in the track's fourth turn and slid down the front straightaway. The wheels dug in the sod along pit road, sending the car flipping violently.

Wheldon hobbled out of his IndyCar Series machine with what appeared to be a right ankle injury, although information was not immediately available.