INDY 500: Goodyear takes first steps toward recovery

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

May 30, 2001

Indianapolis, IN - Cheever Indy Racing driver Scott Goodyear, who suffered a compression fracture of his L1 vertebra during the Indianapolis 500 on May 27, will remain in Indianapolis' Methodist Hospital for the next two to three days.

Goodyear, twice a runner-up at the Indy 500, was injured on lap eight of this year's event when his #52 Thermos®Grill2Go™ Infiniti was collected by the spinning car of Sarah Fisher.

Goodyear received a back brace on Monday and took a few 'baby steps' on Tuesday. The popular Canadian will continue to be monitored by Dr. Terry Trammell and his staff at Methodist Hospital for the next few days. Goodyear hopes to return home by the end of the week. Doctors estimate that Goodyear will require 8-12 weeks to recuperate from his injury.

"Obviously I'm disappointed because this stops me from testing for the Cheever Indy Racing team and Infiniti, and I know I will miss the IROC race at Michigan next month, but this accident does not change my planning process at all," said Goodyear. "I'm hopeful that I will be cleared to drive in the IROC event at Indianapolis (in early August), and after that I'll continue testing and planning for 2002."

Text provided by Ashleigh Higgins

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