INDIANAPOLIS -- Dennis Firestone had to be pried from his car today following a four-car wreck that forced officials to shut down the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the last day of practice before Sunday's Indianapolis 500.
Firestone was transferred to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis in good condition with a minor abrasion on his left knee and a contusion on his right arm, a spokeswoman said.
'He is awake and alert, but he will be evaluated by one of our neurosurgeons to make sure there's no neurological damage,' she said.
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Firestone, who had to be pried from his car, was transferred to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis in good condition with a minor abrasion on his left knee and a contusion on his right arm, a spokeswoman said.
'He is awake and alert, but he will be evaluated by one of our neurosurgeons to make sure there's no neurological damage,' she said.
Drivers were less than an hour into practice when Firestone's car spun out. Track officials said Firestone lost control coming out of Turn 4 and hit the inside wall just before reaching the pit entrances. His car smashed into the pit wall and broke in two.
Moreno, trying to avoid Firestone, entered the pit area and hit the rear of Snider's car as Snider was slowing down. Moreno's car then hit Garza's car, parked in the pits.
The cars driven by Firestone and Moreno were damaged beyond repair. Spokesmen said the cars driven by Snider and Garza apparently can be repaired in time for Sunday's race.
Snider, Garza and Moreno also have backup cars that can be used in the race.
Firestone has no backup, raising the possibility that Dick Simon will be reinstated in the lineup. He was the only driver bumped during time trials and is the first alternate for the 33-car field.
Firestone, 41, of Los Alamitos, Calif., missed two qualifying attempts last year to snap a five-race starting streak at Indy. He qualified this year to start on the outside of Row 7.
Moreno, a 27-year-old Brazilian, qualified for this year's race on the outside of Row 5, Garza from the outside of Row 6 and Snider from the middle of Row 11.
Moreno moved up through the Formula Ford and Formula Atlantic series before joining the Indy car circuit late last year. Garza, 24, of Mexico, the 1981 Rookie of the Year, was hoping to start his sixth Indy 500 Sunday.
Snider, a 45-year-old veteran from Bakersfield, Calif., this year continued his annual tradition of driving one of A.J. Foyt's backup cars and qualified for his 21st race.
His starting spot this year in the last row as the 32nd of 33 cars was his second worst at Indianapolis. In 1979 a legal battle resulted in two extra starters and he was 35th.
