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UPDATED: Extent of Wickens spinal injury still ‘indeterminate’
Friday, August 24: IndyCar has provided another update on the recovery of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens from injuries suffered in a crash at Pocono last Sunday.
"Surgeries were performed late this week on his right arm and lower extremities without complication. The extent of the spinal cord injury remains indeterminate," the statement read. "Wickens also underwent a series of precautionary tests that found no indication of further injury.
"Future treatment for Wickens includes more corrective surgery and rehabilitation. The thoughts of the entire INDYCAR community are with the Wickens family and SPM during this time."
Tuesday, August 21: A post-surgery update has been provided by the Verizon IndyCar Series on Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens.
“Titanium rods and screws were placed successfully in Wickens' spine during the surgery, which was performed without complication,” it said in a statement Tuesday morning. "The severity of the spinal cord injury is indeterminate at this time. Wickens is expected to undergo further surgeries to treat fractures in his lower extremities and right forearm. He remains in stable condition.”
Wickens’ spinal injury is of the greatest concern, and according to IndyCar, that portion of the operation was to “stabilize a thoracic spinal fracture.”
Wickens remains in the same Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest hospital in Pennsylvania. where he was transported after being involved in a crash during Sunday’s ABC Supply 500.
Monday, August 20: An update from the Verizon IndyCar Series on driver Robert Wickens has revealed the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver is moving into the repair phase with his injuries.
“An MRI was instrumental in revealing the most appropriate surgical course and Wickens is undergoing surgery Monday evening for a spinal injury,” IndyCar said in a statement received Monday at 5:57 p.m. ET.
From IndyCar’s previous update on Sunday, the Canadian was diagnosed with injuries “to his lower extremities, right arm and spine” as a result of the hard crash at Pocono Raceway during the opening stages of the ABC Supply 500. He is being treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest.
The rest of the drivers involved, including SPM teammate James Hinchcliffe, Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Takuma Sato, and Dale Coyne Racing’s Pietro Fittipaldi, were either seen and released, or treated and released by IndyCar’s medical staff at Pocono.
Marshall Pruett
The 2026 season marks Marshall Pruett's 40th year working in the sport. In his role today for RACER, Pruett covers open-wheel and sports car racing as a writer, reporter, photographer, and filmmaker. In his previous career, he served as a mechanic, engineer, and team manager in a variety of series, including IndyCar, IMSA, and World Challenge.
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