James Davison is named as the replacement driver for Sebastien Bourdais, who was injured in a crash Saturday,

Situations like this can be tricky.

On the one hand, capitalizing on another driver’s misfortune is not the way James Davison would have preferred to get another shot in an Indy car — especially not when the driver is a friend and former mentor.

On the other hand, “You need to take emotion out of these things,” Davison said Sunday after being named Dale Coyne Racing ’s Indianapolis 500 replacement for Sebastien Bourdais, who suffered fractures to his pelvis and hip in a horrific crash during qualifying Saturday.

“You’re hoping for the best for Sebastien … but motor sports is a very tough business,” Davison added. “We know that drivers in the past have basically gotten their big break after a successful driver’s misfortune. I mean, you’ve seen it with (Formula One champion) Ayrton Senna and David Coulthard. And James Hinchcliffe and Dan Wheldon. It’s just the tough nature of this game. You have to just cut to the chase and get down to business.”

That’s what Davison did Saturday. While the Australian driver said he was horrified by Bourdais’ crash in Turn 2, he knew he had to reach out to Coyne. Coyne understands. “Oh, I got a few calls,” Coyne said with a chuckle. “They feel funny. They wish the best for Sebastien and politely let you know they’re available. Which is fine.”

Coyne said he ended up choosing Davison because he did a “nice, clean job with us last time.”

Davison ran in the 2015 Indy 500 for Dale Coyne Racing and finished 27th after exiting because of a mechanical issue.

Davison’s only other run in the Indy 500 was with KV Racing Technology in 2014, where he was teammates with Bourdais. He finished 16th in that race after starting 28th.

Coyne said Sunday that Bourdais, who had successful surgery, would have to use crutches for eight to 12 weeks, then undergo rehabilitation. Coyne added that Bourdais was in good spirits Sunday and aiming to return in time for the final race of the season at Sonoma.

Bourdais, 38, was injured after his car spun and crashed head-on into the Turn 2 wall before catching fire and flipping over during the Saturday afternoon qualifying session.