Patrick Hits Crew Member

[admin]

Danica Patrick was involved in an incident on pit road during Friday's practice session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with her car hitting another team's crew member.

Patrick's car hit hit Charles (Chuck) Buckman, the chief mechanic for Brazilian driver Mario Moraes at Dale Coyne Racing when she came into her pit during the session.

Buckman suffered a concussion along with scalp and facial lacerations and was transported to Methodist Hospital for treatment.

“I really don’t remember how it happened,” Buckman said. “All I remember is I was talking with someone on Marco Andretti’s team and then everything is blank from that point.

“I will be OK and hopefully back to work in a day or two.”

Patrick and her Andretti-Green Racing crew were visibly upset by the turn of events.

“It’s really, really unfortunate what happened today,” Patrick said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Hopefully he can get back to the track soon and do what he loves.”

Patrick would not accept any questions after making her statement and Andretti Green Racing team members said they would not take any further questions on the incident “in the days to come.”

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[Schwartz Fan]

I saw the re-play this morning on TV and it leaves me asking....what the hell was that guy thinking! He should never have been where he was (there was no way she could even see him for the other crew member/car)

YouTube - Danica Hits Crew Member During 500 Practice

[admin]

What was that guy thinking...I bet he'll stay out of the way from now on out, just glad he wasn't hurt any worse than he was and that he'll be back in a few days.

Shake it off Danica and go out there and grab that #1 spot!

Hope everyone has a safe qualifing day at Indy

[Schwartz Fan]

Indy crewman hit by Patrick released from hospital
3 hours, 8 minutes ago

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AFP) - Chuck Buckman, the crewman who was struck in the pit lane by Danica Patrick last Friday during practice for the Indianapolis 500, was released from Methodist Hospital here Tuesday.

Buckman, chief machanic for Brazilian driver Mario Moraes of Dale Coyne Racing, was struck by Patrick as she was pulling into her pit area in the final test session before pole qualifying last Saturday.

Buckman was knocked into the air and landed on his face, knocking him unconscious. He suffered a skull fracture and a traumatic hemorrhage but has healed enough to continue his recovery at home.

Patrick, absolved of wrongdoing by the Indy Racing League in the incident, became the first woman to win a race in a major racing series when she took the title at Japan's Twin Ring Motegi on April 20.

Brazilian teammate Tony Kanaan talked with Patrick shortly after the incident.


"When I came in, she had tears in her eyes, so I hugged her and she cried a little more, so maybe that was a bad move on my behalf," he said.

"I said, 'Let it go.' She was like, 'He has a family.' I said, 'It wasn't your fault. He's going to get better.'

"There is not a lot you can say. I said, 'You've got to keep your head straight.' I said, 'Go talk to his team. Call his family.'"

The next day, Patrick qualified fifth for the May 25 race, the row two center starting spot being the best for any American racer.

Sports Illustrated will have Patrick on its cover this week, although the honor could turn into a curse since there is a much-balleyhooed "jinx" attached to past cover-featured athletes.

Practice resumes here Wednesday. The final 22 spots in the 33-car field will be on offer when qualifying resumes Saturday.


Indy crewman hit by Patrick released from hospital - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports

[revvinjim]

I'm glad that somebody wrote about her reaction. You should see some of the misogynistic bs there is out there. I won't even repeat it.