INDYCAR: Power sidelined by concussion

Will Power didn't compete in Sunday's season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg because of a concussion – not the flu – as RACER learned shortly before the green flag.

Power crashed Friday during practice (pictured) but then came back to capture the pole position on Saturday – breaking his own track record in the process. But he became sick to his stomach as the post-qualifying celebrations were beginning and left the track.

On Sunday morning, veteran Oriol Servia was in Power's Verizon Dallara-Chevy for the 30-minute warm-up session and then started last in the race, as per IndyCar rules for a driver replacement.

Power lost control and hit the wall with the right-side of his car on Friday but didn't show any symptoms of a concussion during the day. A few hours later he returned to post the fastest lap in practice.

IndyCar released the following statement on the matter:

“Following his on-track incident on Friday Will Power displayed no signs of injury and was evaluated and cleared by the INDYCAR Medical team. Per INDYCAR protocol we also evaluated the data collected from his ear accelerometers, which provides data specific to the impact on a driver’s head, and nothing gathered from that data indicated further evaluation was required. After learning of Will’s symptoms following qualifications Saturday he was required to submit to another evaluation by INDYCAR Medical Director Geoffery Billows, at which point he was diagnosed with a mild concussion. Power has been entered into INDYCAR’s concussion protocol and will need to be re-evaluated prior to being cleared to drive.”