Crash ends IRL Pro Series race
HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) – Pablo Perez was airlifted to a Miami hospital Saturday because of serious leg injuries after a crash ended the season-opening Indy Pro Series race 10 laps early at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Perez, driving his first race for Target Chip Ganassi Racing, was in serious but stable condition, awake and alert at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He underwent surgery to both legs below the knees and also was scheduled for a CAT Scan.
Alex Lloyd claimed his third IPS victory after passing polesitter Chris Festa just a few laps before Perez and Sean Guthrie touched wheels, igniting a five-car crash. The impact sent Guthrie’s car hurtling into the energy-absorbing SAFER Barrier and Perez’s car into the catch-fencing. Cars driven by Shane Lewis, Micky Gilbert and Joey Scarallo all spun after running through the debris from the Guthrie and Perez crash.
Festa, also driving for Ganassi, finished second, followed by rookie Hideki Mutoh, Jaime Camara and Andrew Prendeville. A record 25 cars started the event.
Ryan Justice sustained a concussion when he hit the SAFER Barrier after driving through debris from a crash by Wade Cunningham earlier in the race. Justice also was flown by helicopter to Jackson Memorial after he was briefly knocked unconscious. He was later released from the hospital.