Franchitti frustrated as Indy testing begins

The Scot has been forced out of his car for up to three months after a motorcycle accident left him with a spinal fracture. Franchitti was in attendance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but purely as a spectator.

When asked how frustrating it was to miss the race, Franchitti said: "Don't go there. It's pretty bad."

Franchitti has full mobility and little pain following the accident, but he hasn't been given medical clearance to race. "This isn't my decision," he said. "It's up to the doctors. I'm able to drive a car without any trouble, but they're concerned about the possibility of re-injury.

"If I injure it again, then I have a problem. If it heals properly, it'll be as good as ever. There's not much I can do. I'm frustrated, the team is frustrated. It's just one of those things."

Reports that Tony Stewart would fill-in for the Scot were silenced Monday when the NASCAR star said he would not race in the Indy 500. Franchitti doesn't yet know who his replacement will be. "I'm heading up to the shop now, so I'm going to try to find out," he said. "I should know in about 30 minutes. Trouble is, I won't be able to tell you."

Fourteen cars participated in the test at the circuit, with the Penske Racing duo of Alex Barron and Helio Castroneves completing the most laps and setting the fastest times.