Scott Dixon has cast doubt over his fitness to race in this weekend’s IndyCar double-header in Detroit after a horrifying crash during the Indianapolis 500.
Dixon has stated that he ‘hopes’ to be racing in the Detroit Grand Prix, having attended the Indianapolis 500 Victory Celebration with the aid of crutches.
Dixon’s Chip Ganassi Honda grazed the catch fence and rode along the inside wall before finally coming to rest minus most of the rear of the car and three of the wheels.
The 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner was quickly cleared to drive by IndyCar Medical staff but later returned to the Infield Care Centre at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to be fitted for a walking boot after injuring his left ankle.
During the Victory Celebration, where Andretti Autosport’s Takuma Sato was honoured after his first win at the Brickyard, Dixon revealed in his speech that caravan retailer Camping World is expected to sponsor his #9 entry for the rest of the season.
However, in doing so he also hinted that the ankle injury he sustained in the shunt is worse than originally thought and may cause him to miss the double-points round in Detroit.
“I think our sponsor Camping World is going to be back for the rest of the year and that’s definitely great for us,” Dixon noted.
“I think I got them a little bit of air time recently.
“I’d like to thank my family and my wife Emma for looking after me because I’ve been a bit of a cry baby today.
“I hope everybody has a great night and we’ll hopefully see you in Detroit.”
The crash came after a rollercoaster month at Indianapolis for the 36-year-old.
He finished second on the road course in the IndyCar Grand Prix and earned pole position for the ‘500’ on May 21 just a few hours before being robbed at gunpoint at a Taco Bell drive-through.
Dixon was then swept into the spectacular airborne wreck that received worldwide airplay.
Despite the frightening incidents that coloured his May, he retained his trademark sense of humour.
“It’s normally a good thing to be flying as far as speed,” joked Dixon.
“I do remember looking down at one point, and I’m like, ‘Oh, shoot! This is pretty high.’
“I’m just glad that everybody is okay and it serves as a huge testament I think to Dallara and everybody on the Holmatro Safety crew on how we’ve lifted the safety of these cars and what we’re able to get through.
“It was definitely a crazy incident where I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Despite finishing 32nd in the 33-car field, Dixon and his team won more than $446,000 US ($600,000 AUD).
The presenters at the Victory Celebration remarked that Dixon should consider buying a lottery ticket.
“That would probably be a good choice and hopefully it doesn’t come in threes because I’ve got two pretty big things there right now,” Dixon replied.
“I’ve obviously very thankful things worked out after the crash yesterday.
“I need to buy a new car because that one is a little bit broken.
“I have to say a big thank-you to the whole IndyCar racing community.
“I’ve had so many text messages and people reaching out and it’s definitely a close-knit group so I want to thank everybody for that.”
Practice for the first of two races at Detroit’s Belle Isle Park street circuit begins on Friday 2 June (local time).
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