Danica Patrick was involved in an accident Friday afternoon with a crew member from another team during practice for the Indianapolis 500 while on pit road.(Cue the "Women are bad drivers" joke right ... here. Just kidding, ladies. Anyways, back to the serious reporting.)
Patrick was coming back on to pit road after turning some practice laps in her Andretti-Green Racing Honda when she ducked into her pit stall. As she pulled in, Chuck Buckman -- a crew member with Dale Coyne Racing -- was struck.
According to the Indianapolis Star, Buckman was taken to the infield care center and later to Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital with a concussion and cuts to his face and scalp.
From what I've heard on the radio here in the Indianapolis area, Patrick doesn't seem to be at fault. She apparently was very upset after the incident happened and was whisked away quickly by team members back to the garage area.
I sure hope that Buckman -- who is the chief mechanic for the No. 19 car -- can come back quickly to help get his car in the field, but an incident like this just makes me want to shake my head.
In IndyCar, as well as NASCAR, pit crews are required to wear helmets when they go over the wall.
Why is that rule not in place during practice as well? From my time spent along pit road during 500 practice, it's very obvious that its a dangerous area. Most of the time, teams work in their pit stalls for the majority of practice, and there is near constant activity of cars pulling in and out of pit boxes. I believe pit road speed limit is 55 at the track, so imagine standing inches from cars on the local highway and you're starting to get the picture.
Really, a collision like this was only a matter of time. We'll see if anyone learns from it.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. This is something that happens in racing,it's quite common matter of fact.It has nothing to do with miss patricks driving skills.In fact, the guys in the pits should be more aware of their surroundings.I hope the crew member is ok and i'm sure miss patrick feels the same.
Posted at 12:21AM on May 10th 2008 by travis russell
2. I feel sorry for Danica I hope her crew member will be ok.All thoughts and Prayers are with him.
Posted at 2:17AM on May 10th 2008 by Peaches
3. PEACH,it was not a DANICA crew man that got hurt, but a BRUNO JUNKEIRA crew man from DALE COYNE RACING.HEY,i missed your post in the other file but
that PR MAN is right here.I was the only poster that said something about kyle nneeding a pr person.
You wonder why your post got smoked, well,mine did too and for no reason.I DID NOT POST ANYTHING NASTY
or dirty,or offensive.The question now is.Did you post anything nasty against me? If you did, well here is my mailing address.
anzaj@ yahoo.com Go ahead and shoot.AFTER that i
will have a good understanding and can decide on who's mouth, my foot gets stuck in too. LOL.LOL.LOL.
Posted at 4:11AM on May 10th 2008 by anzaj
4. Anzajoe I never post anything bad about any one, I don't know why Mr Miller smokes my Comments...And yes I have said something about Kyle needing a Pr to teach him how to speak......I love this kids driving but when he OPENS his mouth UUUUUGGGGGHHHHHHHH....LOL
Posted at 4:44PM on May 10th 2008 by Peaches
5. SORRY PEACHES, I was just double checking before jumping to conclusions.About your posts getting smoked don't feel that bad,it happens to just about everybody(MORE so to me and emerson).Plenty of times JEFFERY MILLER or any of the EDITORS, don't have any involvement at all in the blogs incineration.I just got done reading your post in the intimtdator file ,so by now i'm sure you probably read the problem explanations from other poster also.OH you can easily add me to the fan BASE
of KYLE BUSH, I BEEN A FAN, EVERY SINCE HE DEBUTTED
at HMS 4 years ago.I noticed his driving and his potential back than. TONY, DALE E. JEFF and JIMMY are my other preferred drivers with TONY at the peak. I always believed SREWART COULD REBORN THE INTIMIDATOR. Hasn't yet happened.Lets hope that KYLE will at least be close.
DANICA, LIKE KYLE: all i have been seeing are; GLORY DAYS AHEAD. Of course i could be wrong but i doubt it. TIME, will tell us.The entire ANDRETTI TEAM have been my INDY most liked drivers for years
I hope FRANCHINI, COMES TO HIS SENSE instead of the almighty $$$$$ AND REJOINS ANDRETTI RACING.
OH, and 2 more driver i also like, SAM HORNEYSH/CASTROVENES. Hopefully SAM RETURNES TO INDY RACING ALSO.Easy for him,if i'm correct he still at PENSKY RACING.
HAVE A NICE DAY.OH, sorry again for my previous
wondering.
Posted at 6:41PM on May 10th 2008 by anzajoe
6. No problem anzajoe I see here people take things way out to left feild sometimes, if ever I have a problem with you I will be Lady enough to let you know.You have a Good Day!!!
Posted at 6:50AM on May 12th 2008 by Peaches
7. THANKS PEACH, I APPRECIATE THAT.
Posted at 10:49PM on May 12th 2008 by anzajoe
8. That's great! I'm glad to see that the only three Kyle Busch fans are getting a word in without any in coming missles. Heads up ladies there maybe one in coming now... LOL! Kyle Busch will have his day in the Sun eventually with his fan base. Have a good weekend, I'm stuck ona ship working this one.
Posted at 10:05AM on May 17th 2008 by Bernie