Crew man injured in Indy practice

Patrick was entering her pit stall as Chuck Buckman, a member the Dale Coyne Racing crew, passed in front of her. Buckman was struck by the left front and left rear tires of Patrick's No. 7 Andretti Green Racing Honda/Dallara. He flipped into the air and landed hard on the asphalt.

A shaken Patrick read a statement later Friday that said: "It was really, really unfortunate what happened today. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and hopefully he can get back to the track soon and be able to do what he loves."

Al Larsen, spokesman for Andretti Green Racing, said the team would offer no further statements nor answer any questions about the incident.

Buckman apparently was walking to his team's pit stalls along pit road as Patrick was entering her pit stall. Witnesses said Buckman didn't see Patrick's car until a second or two before it struck him. He attempted to avoid the car but couldn't get away.

"It happened so fast that I couldn't see what happened," said Marco Andretti, Patrick's teammate, who was in his car in the pits when the accident occurred. "It's not anybody's fault. Racing is dangerous. We're very concerned. Hopefully everything will turn out OK."

Indy Racing League medical director Dr. Michael Olinger said Buckman was transported to Methodist Hospital, where he was being treated for a concussion and scalp and facial lacerations.

Later, the injured Buckman said he had no recollection of how the incident occurred: "I really don't remember how it happened. All I remember is that I was talking with someone on Marco Andretti's team, and then everything is blank from that point. I will be OK and hopefully back to work in a day or two.