Castroneves and Tagliani recovering after shunts

Forsythe Racing's Alex Tagliani hit the wall at Turn 1 just two laps from the end of Monday's title decider at Fontana's California Speedway. The Canadian was awake and alert after the smash, but following an initial investigation at the race track, CART doctor Steve Olvey recommended that he be transferred to the Loma Linda Hospital for a fuller examination after the driver complained of back and abdomen pains.

Tagliani was kept overnight for observation, but after a CAT-scan revealed that he had not suffered any fractures it he was due to be released today on Tuesday. He will then head to Indianapolis to see CART Chief Orthopedic Consultant Dr Terry Trammell for further evaluation.

Penske driver Helio Castroneves also spent the night at the Loma Linda Hospital after he suffered a mechanical fault and spun into the wall while leading the race 10 laps from the finish. Castroneves was fitted with a neck brace and left the race track in a stretcher after he complained of pains in his back and left ankle. The Brazilian was taken to hospital for X-rays.

Last year, Canada's Greg Moore was killed in a high-speed accident at the two-mile Californian superspeedway.