Alexander Rossi has been given the all clear to participate in the Indianapolis 500.
The veteran suffered a hard crash on Monday, with his car smashing into the SAFER barrier in Turn 2 and nearly flipping upside down.
He was taken to a local hospital that evening in order to have small procedures on his ankle and finger.
Rossi has been completing media duties since then, however, and confirmed on Thursday that IndyCar medical has given him clearance to participate in the upcoming event.
“I am cleared to race,” Rossi confirmed in a press conference. “I will have to be on crutches because it’s a non-weight-bearing injury.
“Fortunately to drive a race car, you don’t have to bear weight. Range of motion is good. Pain is minimal. Swelling, as you can see, I fit into my race boot. I’m good to go.
“Man, this is probably the most rested I’ve been going into a 500. I’ve had other commitments, but much less commitments you would usually have in this week leading up to the race.
“No, I feel good. It’s obviously been pretty hectic for everyone involved. Lots of things had to line up in the correct way. But feel very fortunate to be here.”
With the ferocity of the hit, and the fact that he was travelling nearly 220 MPH when he lost control, there were fears that he could have suffered a concussion.
If that had been the case, there is a chance Ed Carpenter Racing would have had to find a replacement driver for this weekend’s event.
But no injuries apart from Rossi’s foot and finger were ever confirmed, and if he can race through any lingering pain, he is cleared to do so.
There is a two-hour practice on Friday for Carb Day, followed by the 110th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
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