How Alexander Rossi became 'good to go' for Indy 500 after crash, ankle, finger injuries
Alexander Rossi has been cleared to race in the Indianapolis 500 despite a recent crash and procedures on his ankle and finger. He will start second.
INDIANAPOLIS – Despite concerns after having a procedure done on his right ankle and left middle finger, Alexander Rossi has been cleared to race in the Indianapolis 500 by IndyCar's medical staff. Rossi will start the race in second as he looks for his second Indy 500 victory, 10 years after his first. Although he's moving around on crutches, Rossi will be in the race.
Rossi — who said he'll be driving at 99% — isn't allowed to bear weight on the right ankle, which explains why he's still using crutches. "Fortunately, to drive a race car, you don't have to bear weight," Rossi said. "Range of motion is good.
Pain is minimal. Swelling, as you can see, I fit into my race boot. I'm good to go.
" Rossi crashed into the wall on the outside of Turn 2 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during Monday's practice session. After Pato O'Ward and Romain Grosjean, the other two drivers in the incident, were released from the IMS infield medical center, Rossi was instead transported to a local hospital, where he had the procedures done on Monday evening. To be cleared, Rossi had to drive on a simulator and prove he could enter and exit the car in "an appropriate amount of time.