Johnny O'Connell Crashes in Practice

16 May 1997

INDIANAPOLIS (12:45 PM): Johnny O'Connell crashed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this afternoon. O'Connell was practicing in the number 1 Conseco/A.J. Foyt Enterprises car when he blew an engine entering turn one. The car did a three quarter spin and went head first into the wall. Safety crews took several minutes removing O'Connell from the car. The car was extensively damaged.

Johnny O'Connell

O'Connell was named to drive the Conseco car after Scott Sharp was injured in a crash last Friday. This is the third crash this month for the Conseco team. O'Connell had just completed a lap at almost 213 mph.

O'Connell has been transferred to Methodist Trauma Center, Indianapolis. He is awake and alert. He is complaining of left foot and ankle pain. O'Connell also has minor cuts on his face. His condition is stable.

Terry Callahan -- The Auto Channel