INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, May 8, 2002 - Indy Racing League driver PJ Jones was held overnight at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with a fracture of the C-6 vertebrae, said Dr. Henry Bock, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy Racing League director of medical services.
Jones is listed in good condition and is expected to be released today, Bock said.
Recovery time is up to six weeks, Bock said. The team has not named a replacement driver.
Jones spun in Turn 1 at 5:40 p.m. (EST) Tuesday while practicing for the 86th Indianapolis 500. He made contact with the rear of the car with the outside SAFER barrier. The No. 2 Menards/Johns Manville Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone then slid to the inside of the track, crossed the warm-up lane and hit the inside guardrail with the left side of the car. Jones stepped from the car with assistance. He was awake and alert when transported by ground to Methodist Hospital for precautionary X-rays.
