Rossi cleared after crash, returns to Indy 500 practice

Alexander Rossi returned to the track on Friday, May 22, after a crash earlier in the week left his Indianapolis 500 status in doubt. The 2016 race winner took part in Carb Day practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after INDYCAR’s medical team cleared him to drive. Rossi had crashed heavily in Monday practice and underwent outpatient procedures that night for injuries to a finger on his left hand and his right ankle. By Friday, he was back in Ed Carpenter Racing’s No. 20 Chevrolet ahead of Sunday’s 110th running of the race. ### How did Rossi get cleared to return? INDYCAR said Thursday that Rossi had been cleared to drive in Sunday’s race after medical evaluation following the May 18 crash. Rossi told reporters he had to complete several checks before being allowed back in the car, including simulator work, getting in and out of the cockpit quickly enough and showing he could react with his right foot while wearing a boot. “Range of motion is good. (sports.yahoo.com) Pain is minimal. I’m good to go,” Rossi said, according to INDYCAR. Monday’s crash sent Rossi into the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier during practice, and his damaged car then made secondary contact when Pato O’Ward spun while trying to avoid the incident, INDYCAR said. INDYCAR later said Rossi had no additional injuries beyond the finger and ankle issues disclosed after the wreck. ### What did Carb Day show about his condition? (indycar.com) Friday’s practice gave Rossi what the Associated Press described as the final on-track hurdle before the race. AP reported that Rossi gave a thumbs-up to both the car and his comfort level after the session, effectively confirming his place in Sunday’s field. IndyStar reported that he returned with a brace and described himself as “different” but “fine” in his first practice since the injuries. (indycar.com) FOX Sports reported that Rossi practiced Friday and still planned to race Sunday despite the small bone injury in his right ankle. Ed Carpenter Racing had expected through the week that Rossi would be able to make the start, with the main question centered on medical signoff and whether he could complete final practice without issue. (foxsports.com) ### Where will Rossi start, and why does that matter? Rossi is set to start second on Sunday, which AP described as a career-best Indy 500 starting position. That leaves a former race winner near the front of the grid even after the week’s crash and recovery process. INDYCAR’s Media Day notes also said Rossi returned without the walking boot he had used earlier in the week, though he said he would still need crutches because the ankle injury was non-weight-bearing. (foxsports.com) IndyStar reported that Rossi’s injuries did not change his intent to race, and INDYCAR said from Monday night onward that the goal was participation in both Friday’s final practice and the race itself. Those plans held through Carb Day. (foxsports.com) ### Who set the pace as Rossi returned? Josef Newgarden was fastest in Carb Day practice at 228.342 mph, according to Yahoo Sports and the Indianapolis Star. Rossi’s return unfolded against that final pre-race session, the last major on-track activity before the field turns to race-day preparations. (indystar.com) Sunday’s 110th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. ET at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with FOX carrying the broadcast, according to Yahoo Sports. Rossi is expected to take the green flag from the front row alongside pole-sitter Álex Palou. (sports.yahoo.com)