Bourdais suffers multiple fractures in Indy crash

It was one of the most savage impacts in Indianapolis Motor Speedway history but thanks to the SAFER Barrier and the strength of Dallara's DW12, Sebastien Bourdais survived what could have been fatal 20 years ago.

The 38-year-old Frenchman was awake, alert and never lost consciousness before being transported to Methodist Hospital. There, he was diagnosed with multiple fractures to his pelvis and a fracture to his right hip.

Bourdais underwent successful surgery to repair his hip and pelvis on Saturday night and is expected to miss the rest of the season, according to a source close to Coyne's team. He's likely looking at 10 days in Indianapolis for recovery and rehabilitation before being flown back to his home in St. Petersburg, Fla.

"Sebastien is in good hands here at IU Methodist Hospital with the staff and now we just wait for him to recover," Coyne said.

After posting the two fastest laps of the afternoon at over 231 mph, Bourdais lost control in Turn 2 and pounded the wall almost head-on in a crash reminiscent of Gordon Smiley's devastating crash that took his life in 1982.

The four-time Champ Car king twitched exiting Turn 1 and then began to slide in Turn 2. It looked like he might have a chance to save it but then it snapped and rocketed into the wall at a 20-degree angle before smashing into the SAFER barrier with the right side and then flipping. The GEICO Dallara-Honda came to a rest on all four wheels and Bourdais tried to open his shield as Holmatro Safey Team workers pounced on him.

"It's the natural thing to do, to turn into the spin and try to save it," said Pancho Carter, the 1985 Indy 500 polesitter and 17-time starter who spots for Bourdais' teammate rookie Ed Jones.

Winner of the season opener at St. Petersburg, Bourdais was looking like a strong candidate to post quick time after laps of 231.4 and 231.5.

Coyne, on his way to the hospital, said the team had Bourdais' road race car to prepare but obviously it was way too early to speculate on whether a replacement driver would be hired.