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CART: Fittipaldi injured at Gateway; Will miss Sunday's Detroit Race

4 August 1999

DETROIT - Newman/Haas Racing driver Christian Fittipaldi was injured Monday during a testing accident at Gateway International Raceway and will miss this weekend's Tenneco Automotive Grand Prix of Detroit at The Raceway on Belle Isle.

Fittipaldi was rendered unconscious after his Big Kmart Ford Swift Champ Car made rear contact with the Turn 1 wall at the Gateway oval at approximately 2:30 p.m. CST (local time). He was unconscious for five to 10 minutes according to witnesses at the scene, but regained consciousness while being transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

Fittipaldi, the 28-year-old nephew of open-wheel legend Emerson Fittipaldi, was then airlifted to St. Louis University Hospital and admitted to the neurological intensive care unit for testing and observation. Fittipaldi was awake and talking at the hospital, but will remain at least overnight.

Per CART medical guidelines outlined by Dr. Steve Olvey, CART Director of Medical Affairs, no FedEx Championship Series driver is permitted to compete for at least seven days following an accident that results in loss of consciousness. The Tenneco Automotive Grand Prix of Detroit is scheduled for Sunday.

Fittipaldi is in the midst of the best season of his five-year career. He captured the first pole (Rio) and victory of his career (Road America) and currently ranks fourth in the points championship.

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