Indy Lights: Dixon Sets The Pace In Chicago Practice As Bright Is Injured In Turn Four Accident
29 July 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
CICERO, Ill. - Scott Dixon (Invensys/Powerware/PacWest
Lights Lola) topped the time sheets in both Friday practice sessions at
Chicago Motor Speedway Friday while points leader Jason Bright is spending
the night in the hospital after sustaining minor injuries in a crash in
turn
four in the afternoon. Bright was transported to Loyola University Medical Center after complaining of a sore neck and sustaining a lower back strain, according to Dr. Chris Pinderski of the CART Medical Staff. He was scheduled for a precautionary CAT scan and x-rays, and Dr. Pinderski indicated Bright's injury was similar to the lower/muscle strain Nigel Mansell sustained in his 1993 accident at Phoenix International Raceway. Bright did not lose consciousness in the accident.
Bright spun exiting Turn Four early in the day's second and final practice and backed into the wall gearbox first. The impact shattered the transmission but barely damaged the rear corners of the race car or the tub. Dorricott Racing is presently rebuilding Bright's No. 3 Lola and the rookie Australian could, according to team officials, be back in the race car tomorrow.
Dixon, who is tied for second in the points race with Casey Mears one point behind Bright (57 - 56), lapped the 1.029-mile Chicago track at an average speed of 141.476 mph (26.184 seconds). Rookie Jeff Simmons (KOOL Lola) was second quickest at 140.964 mph (26.279 seconds) while Dixon's teammate Tony Renna (Motorola/PacWest Lights Lola) was third at 140.568 mph (26.353 seconds).
Final qualifying is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Text provided by Adam Saal
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