A violent crash saw Dario Franchitti’s car get airborne and crash into the catchfence on the penultimate lap of the IndyCar Grand Prix of Houston on Sunday.
Dario Franchitti crash: Driver, 13 spectators injured after IndyCar wreck
Dario Franchitti and 13 people were injured when Franchitti’s car got airborne during a crash in Sunday’s IndyCar Grand Prix of Houston.
Brian Cleary
Franchitti was quickly attended to by on-track medical personnel and was seen moving inside the cockpit. He was eventually put on a stretcher and transported to nearby Hermann Texas Hospital.
The four-time IndyCar champion and three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 was diagnosed with two spinal fractures that will not require surgery, a fracture to his right ankle and a concussion. He will be held overnight for observation.
Team owner Chip Ganassi told NBC Sports Network that the four-time IndyCar champion was alert and awake immediately following the accident, but had soreness in his ankle and back.
“He’s talking,” Ganassi said. “His ankle is a little sore and his back is a little sore. He’s going to take a trip to the hospital, but he is OK.”
Debris from Franchitti's car, along with pieces of the catchfence, flew into the grandstands. KTRK-TV is reporting at least 13 spectators were injured and most received treatment at the scene. Two people had to be transported to local medical facilities for further evaluation, according to the Houston Fire Department.
The incident occurred as Takuma Sato slowed on the high-speed, blind turn section of the temporary street course located in downtown Houston. Franchitti struck the rear of Sato’s slowing car, vaulting him into the catchfence and sending debris field into the grandstands. The car of E.J. Viso was also involved, but both he and Sato escaped without injury.
Franchitti’s accident is commonly seen in IndyCar, though typically on ovals and rarely on street courses.
Following the death of Dan Wheldon two years ago at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (a 1.5-mile oval), IndyCar introduced a new car with numerous safety features -- including rear wheel covers designed to reduce cars getting airborne after wheel contact.
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