Marcus Armstrong was taken away on a stretcher after a heavy crash in practice for Indianapolis 500 qualifying, and it was unclear who would get into Meyer Shank Racing's backup car even if it was ready to make a four-lap run later Saturday.
The 24-year-old from New Zealand hit the wall going into Turn 1 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where winds gusting to nearly 30 mph made for treacherous conditions as the cars approached 240 mph at the end of the long front stretch.
Armstrong was able to climb from his wrecked car but was immediately helped onto a stretcher. He gave a thumbs up as he was loaded into an ambulance and taken to the infield care center, where he was released about 90 minutes later.
"He is awake. He is alert. He's doing well," said Dr. Julia Vaizer, the medical director for IndyCar and the speedway.
Meyer Shank Racing immediately began working on its backup car, even though it was uncertain who would drive it when the nearly 7-hour qualifying window opened later in the day. The team was getting help from Chip Ganassi Racing, which has a close working relationship with its fellow Honda-powered team.