Carpenter, Dana taken to hospital

Dana was believed to be the more seriously injured of the two drivers, according to initial reports from the scene.

Carpenter's No. 20 Vision Racing Honda/Dallara apparently spun in Turn 2, and videotaped replays showed Dana's car broad-siding Carpenter's stopped car.

The front of Dana's No. 17 Rahal Letterman Racing Honda/Panoz was sheared off, and initial radio reports indicated Dana had sustained serious leg injuries.

"I don't really know much other than he was flown out," team co-owner Bobby Rahal told ESPN. "Obviously when you get flown out, you're going to be checked out thoroughly.

"It was a pretty vicious incident. We're thinking about Paul and hope that he'll be OK."

Carpenter was reportedly knocked unconscious briefly, but was awake and alert when he was transported by helicopter to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

IRL officials are expected to make an official announcement shortly.

"I've been told he's awake and alert and going to be fine," Vision Racing team manager Larry Curry said of Carpenter. "They just want to check him out."

The practice session was postponed. The race, the season opener for the IRL IndyCar Series, is scheduled to begin at 3:45 pm local time.