1999 Indianapolis 500 winner Kenny Brack will replace injured 2004
Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Rice in the 89th edition of the Greatest
Spectacle in Racing, Rahal Letterman Racing officials announced
source:
paddocktalk.com
In other driver news, rookie Arie Luyendyk Jr. was named as the driver of the
CURB/Agajanian/Beck Motorsports entry, and veteran Jimmy Kite was named to
replace injured rookie Paul Dana in the Ethanol Hemelgarn Racing entry.
Brack will attempt to qualify the No. 15 Rahal Letterman Racing Argent
Pioneer Panoz/Honda/Firestone on Third Day Qualifying, Saturday, May 21 at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway to earn one of the 11 remaining spots for the race
May 29.
Rice suffered a concussion and back contusions in a single-car crash in Turn 2
on May 11 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during practice. Five days later,
he was not cleared to drive by Dr. Henry Bock, senior director of medical
services for the Indy Racing League and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Further
evaluation of Rice discovered a partially torn spinal ligament in his mid- to
lower neck that is essential to maintaining the alignment of the spine. Doctors
have recommended rest and rehabilitation and Rice will be reassessed in about
three weeks.
This will be Brack's first Indianapolis 500 start and first IndyCar Series start
since 2003. He suffered multiple injuries during the season-ending event in
October 2003 at Texas Motor Speedway.