Qualifying Crash Again Threatens Hinchcliffe Indy 500 Bid

Los Angeles, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2019 ) :Four years after he suffered life-threatening injuries in an Indy 500 practice accident, James Hinchcliffe crashed again in qualifying at the race on Saturday, and while he emerged unhurt, his bid to qualify took a hit.

"The car was on the edge, for sure," said Hinchcliffe, who was examined and released from the medical center at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after crashing in turn two on the second lap of a four-lap qualifying run.

"Something just caught me in (turn) two. I don't know if it was a gust of wind or what." The rear end of the Canadian's Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda broke free in the turn, the car spinning into the SAFER Barrier at the exit of the turn.

The car briefly rolled to its side before settling back down on the track, and Hinchcliffe was helped out and taken to the infield care center.

The crash forced Hinchcliffe to a backup car, with team co-owner Sam Schmidt saying he believed Hinchcliffe would be able to make another run before the qualifying session ended.

"I think we'll make it out today," Schmidt said.

Hinchcliffe survived life-threatening injuries in 2015 after his car's suspension broke in and a piece of it pierced the chassis tub and went through his left thigh.

He missed the rest of the IndyCar season, but returned to win the Indianapolis 500 pole a year later, when he finished seventh.

Hinchcliffe missed the race last year after he was bumped in qualifying.