Ferrucci on standby for Newgarden at Indy road course

Team Penske has signed Santino Ferrucci to be on standby if Josef Newgarden is not cleared to drive at this weekend’s race on the Indianapolis road course.

Newgarden, who suffered a hard rearward impact on Sunday when something failed at the back of his No.2 Team Penske Chevy while leading the second Iowa Speedway race with ease, collapsed after the race – after being examined and released by IndyCar’s medical team – and hit his head after falling to the ground.

The team announced on Sunday night that Newgarden’s brain scans revealed no damage, but he would be held overnight for observation.

More IndyCar

Dixon, Dallara inducted into IMS Hall of Fame

Indy win "critically important" for McLaren - Brown

Rain brings early end to Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge

Due for a checkup with IndyCar medical on Thursday, one day prior to the start of practice for the Indy event, Team Penske secured Ferrucci’s services – who is scheduled to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity race on the same weekend – in the event Newgarden is not cleared to drive.

According to the team, “Newgarden was released from MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center earlier this morning and returned to his home in Nashville. Per series protocols, Newgarden will be reevaluated by the IndyCar Medical Team on Thursday to determine his status for the Gallagher Grand Prix. Should Newgarden not be able to race, Ferrucci will take the wheel of the No.2 PPG Chevrolet.”