Power breaks vertebrae, sustains concussion

SONOMA, Calif. — Team Penske isn’t ready to rule out injured driver Will Power making a return this season.

Power was still being evaluated at a hospital Sunday, a day after breaking two vertebrae in his lower back and sustaining a concussion during a crash in practice for the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma.

IndyCar officials said Power was in the process of being fitted for a custom back brace and would remain hospitalized several more days before being transferred to Indianapolis, where he will be seen by IndyCar orthopedist and back specialist Dr. Terry Trammell to determine the next step for his recovery and treatment.

Power, Team Penske’s third driver, collided with Nelson Philippe of Conquest Racing during practice Saturday. Philippe also sustained a concussion along with an open fracture to his left foot that required surgery. Officials said Philippe also was found to have a hairline fracture of his right fibula and would be fitted for a brace. He was to remain hospitalized until Monday.

The 28-year-old Power, a former road course specialist who finished fifth in this year’s Indianapolis 500, crashed into Philippe coming out of a blind corner at Infineon Raceway.

Team Penske said it’s too early to say whether Power will miss the remainder of the season.

“That hasn’t been determined,” team spokesman Merrill Cain said. “We just don’t know yet. We don’t want to speculate.”

Cain said both he and owner Roger Penske spoke to Power by phone Sunday morning.

“He’s in pretty good spirits,” Cain said. “He knows he’s obviously still involved on our race team. A lot of people are thinking of him.”

Power was airlifted to nearby Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, while Philippe was taken by ambulance to the same hospital. No new driver filled their seat.

Philippe lost control at the top of the hill on Turn 3A, and the front end of his car was initially clipped by E.J. Viso. Power arrived moments later and couldn’t avoid an ugly crash, hitting Philippe’s car broadside.

Power was 16th on the season points list with 209 coming into the event.