Hattori surgery successful

The Japanese driver was injured on Tuesday when his car spun and hit the wall at the first turn. It was the first - and so far only - accident in four days of official practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

IRL IndyCar medical rules require drivers who have sustained a concussion to stay out of their cars for at least seven days. It was not clear whether team owner AJ Foyt would replace Hattori with another driver, or try and make it into the field on Bump Day on May 18.

One driver who will definitely try to make it into the field on a strong performance in Bump Day alone is Jimmy Vasser, who will run in the event for Team Rahal.

The American veteran will miss this weekend's qualifying session because he will be racing for American Spirit Team Johansson in the Champ Car World Series race at the Lausitzring in Germany.

Kenny Brack, who set the fastest time in testing at Indianapolis yesterday (Wednesday), tested the car Vasser will run in the race after setting his fastest time. When asked if he and Vasser shared similar driving styles, Brack said: "I know we like the same lines, because we've crashed together a few times."