IndyCar driver Mikhail Aleshin hospitalized after crash during practice

IndyCar driver Mikhail Aleshin flipped into the catch fence during practice Friday at Fontana.

A frightening multi-car crash flipped rook Mikhail Aleshin into the catch fence during practice Friday for the Verizon IndyCar Series' season-finale at Auto Club Speedway.

Aleshin was in his car for several minutes as safety workers tended to him. He was immediately airlifted to a local hospital complaining of injuries to his right shoulder and right foot, according a statement released by IndyCar.

Replays show Aleshin spinning between Turns 3 and 4, then shooting up the track and into the path of Charlie Kimball. Once he struck Kimball's car, Aleshin was launched end-over-end into the fencing surrounding the track. Marco Andretti was also involved in the crash.

Both Kimball and Andretti walked away and escaped injury.

Here's the catch fence. http://ift.tt/1ps9kvB

— Marty Snider (@heymartysnider) August 30, 2014

A large portion of the catch fence was ripped apart by Aleshin's car. Several photos on Twitter showed pieces of Aleshin's car, including a wheel, entangled in the fencing.

Wheel in the fence #IndyCar http://ift.tt/1ps9iUe

— Steve Wittich (@stevewittich) August 30, 2014

A 2-mile oval, ACS is one of IndyCar's fastest circuits. Helio Castroneves qualified on the pole with a two-lap average speed of 218.540 mph earlier Friday night.

from SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1ps9iUg