David Malukas, driver of Team Penske, has received clearance to return to the track after a concerning accident during the initial practice of the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix held at Nashville Superspeedway.
The 24-year-old driver, originally from Chicago, had to miss qualifying to go to a local hospital where he underwent a medical evaluation. Despite this, he was able to return just in time for the final practice sessions on Saturday afternoon.
The incident occurred approximately 20 minutes after the practice session began. Malukas lost control of his Chevrolet #12 in turn 2, initiating a half-spin before crashing hard into the outside wall. The impact was so intense that his knee struck the steering wheel, disconnecting it from the steering column.
This impact not only damaged the vehicle but also harmed the SAFER Barrier, resulting in a prolonged stoppage by the track crews who had to repair the damage. Consequently, IndyCar officials decided to extend the practice session by another 10 minutes.
Malukas was assisted by the AMR Safety Team and was able to walk on his own to the ambulance before being transported for a more thorough medical check. The medical tests revealed no major injuries, focusing only on a severe knee sprain.
Malukas expressed his gratitude: ‘Everything is fine. I want to thank the AMR safety team as well as everyone involved from IndyCar and the hospital where I was treated. They were very attentive to ensure we got results quickly. I was really impressed, as I took the wheel out with my knee.’
With the good news about his health, Malukas is preparing to return to competition, making sure he is ‘ready for whatever comes next.’
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_aa8feddd2ad20bc020cb441ef70d92c589cea8b4