IndyCar: Hinchcliffe ‘thankful’

INDIANAPOLIS —Ruled out of racing indefinitely, IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe thanked the “heroes” who helped him after his frightening crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and his doctor said Monday that the accident had left the popular Canadian in critical condition.

There was never any doubt that Monday’s accident was serious: Hinchcliffe was taken immediately to a local hospital for surgery on his left thigh and pelvic area and two sources familiar with the details told The Associated Press his leg had been pierced by the car’s right front rocker. The surgery at Indiana University Methodist Hospital was needed to stop massive bleeding.

“Words can’t describe how thankful I am” to the on-track Holmatro safety team, Hinchcliffe said in a statement released by IndyCar. “Those guys, in addition to the doctors and staff at the hospital, are my heroes.”

Hinchcliffe lost a significant amount of blood.

Honda said Hinchcliffe’s right front suspension failed, and the driver was sent hard into the third turn wall during practice for Indianapolis 500.