Indy 500 driver change looming after practice crash

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing have ruled out Stefan Wilson from competing in the 107th running of the Indy 500 following his practice crash on Monday.

Stefan Wilson suffered a fractured 12th thoracic vertebra as a result of a violent accident in Monday afternoon’s Indy 500 practice session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Wilson was driving his No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet into turn one of the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Speedway, Indiana oval when he was hit from behind by Katherine Legge’s No. 44 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda.

The hit resulted in the first significant accident in the buildup to the 107th running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.

The injury will unfortunately sideline Wilson from competing in this year’s Indy 500.

The team put out the following statement, indicating that their plans for the No. 24 Chevrolet will be announced “in due course”.

Stefan Wilson has competed in five races throughout his IndyCar career, four of which being the Indy 500.

The 33-year-old Briton competed for KVSH Racing in 2016, Andretti Autosport in 2018 and 2021, and DragonSpeed/Cusick Motorsports in 2022. His lone non-Indy 500 start was his series debut with Dale Coyne Racing on the streets of Baltimore in 2013.

His best career finish is his 15th place finish in the 2018 Indy 500. He had qualified in 25th for this year’s race.

J.R. Hildebrand, who has competed in three Indy 500s for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing before, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Wilson behind the wheel of the No. 24 Chevrolet, though nothing has been confirmed. The 2023 race was initially set to end Hildebrand’s streak of 12 straight Indy 500 appearances.

Just one practice session, that being Friday’s Carb Day practice session from 11:00 a.m. ET to 1:00 p.m. ET, remains on the schedule before the field of 33 is set to take the green flag.

The 107th running of the Indy 500 is set to be broadcast live on NBC from Indianapolis Motor Speedway beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 28. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss it!