Drivers Carpenter, Dana Hurt at Homestead

HOMESTEAD, Fla. March 26, 2006; The AP reported that drivers Ed Carpenter and Paul Dana were injured in a crash Sunday morning during the warmup for the season-opening IRL IndyCar Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Carpenter, the stepson of IRL founder Tony George, spun and hit the wall moments after the practice began. As Carpenter's battered car slid to a stop, Dana, a rookie, slammed into him at almost full speed.

There was no immediate word from the IRL on the injuries but observers said both drivers were taken by helicopter to nearby hospitals.