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IndyCar's Stefan Wilson hospitalized after crashing in practice ahead of Indy 500

DSprofileby:Dustin Schutte•05/22/23•

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stefan wilson
(Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A scary crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway resulted in driver Stefan Wilson leaving the racetrack in an ambulance. The accident occurred during Monday’s Indy 500 practice run.

Wilson and Katherine Legge collided between turns one and two. Legge hit the back of Wilson, forcing both drivers to lose control and slam into the wall.

Legge got out of the car but a stretcher was taken over to assist Wilson. He left the track in a neck brace, but gave a thumbs up to indicate he was doing fine. Medical personnel transported the driver directly to the hospital for further evaluation.

Dr. Julia Vaizer, director of medical services for the NTT IndyCar Series, provided an update on Wilson.

“I can tell you he’s doing well,” Vaizer said, per SpeedSport.com. “He’s being transported to local hospital for advanced imaging and further evaluation, but he’s in good spirits.”

Monday’s accident at IMS was the first of the month. It comes less than a week before Sunday’s running of the Indianapolis 500.

Legge explained what happened on the track.

“The cars were all checking up and I lifted as much as I could and downshifted, hit the brakes but it wasn’t enough as they were checking up,” Legge told reporters. “So, I ran into the back of Stefan and we both ended up in the wall.”

Katherine Legge becomes fastest woman in Indy 500 history

Prior to the rough run during Indy 500 practice on Monday, it was all smiles for Katherine Legge. The IndyCar driver made history at one of the most iconic tracks in racing.

Legge qualified for the Indianapolis 500 after posting a fastest lap of 231.596 mph. She also recorded an average lap speed of 231.070 mph. Both of those speeds are the fastest ever for a woman at the track.

With those times, Legge starts 30th for the race on Sunday.

Still, Legge wishes that she could’ve posted a faster qualifying time.

“It sucks being in this position. I wish we were further up and we weren’t having to deal with it, but at the end of the day, it is what it is,” she said. “Honestly, now, it’s just relief. You go through every single emotion on qualifying day at IMS. It’s unbelievable.”

The green flag for the Indianapolis 500 drops at approximately 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 28. Coverage of the race airs on NBC.