IndyCar racing’s biggest name was emotionally shaken as Danica Patrick was involved in an incident on pit lane during practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when her car hit a crew member from another team in pit lane.
Patrick, who gained fame as the first female driver ever to win in a major close-course racing series when the IndyCar driver drove to victory at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan on April 19, came into the pits and hit Charles (Chuck) Buckman, the chief mechanic for Brazilian driver Mario Moraes at Dale Coyne Racing.
Buckman was walking toward Marco Andretti’s parked car when he appeared to see Patrick’s car diving into her pit box. Buckman stumbled and his left leg was clipped by her left front tire, knocking him in the air.
His head then hit her rear tire before he hit the ground.
He was initially unconscious after being hit, but regained consciousness before being transported to Methodist Hospital.
“I really don’t remember how it happened,” Buckman said. “All I remember was talking with someone on (Patrick teammate) Marco Andretti’s team and then everything is blank from that point. I will be OK and hopefully back to work in a day or two.”
Patrick and some of her crew members were distraught after the incident, which threw the crew member over her car before he went face down to the ground.
“It’s really, really unfortunate what happened today,” Patrick said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Hopefully he can get back to the track soon and do what he loves.”
“But what is most important to me is that Chuck is going to be OK.”
Marco Andretti had a clear view of what happened.
“It’s a dangerous situation; a crowded pit lane, a lot going on,” Andretti said. “You don’t like to see that kind of thing but it’s not Danica’s fault. Stuff happens. Racing is dangerous. We’re very concerned and hopefully it will turn out good.”
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