Rice expected to be cleared

Rice sustained contusions on both knees when his No. 15 Rahal Letterman Racing Honda/Panoz crashed in Turn 2 during the third practice session of the week leading up to Saturday's pole qualifying.

He was checked at the infield care center and released, but wasn't cleared to drive.

He will be re-evaluated Friday morning, according to Dr. Henry Bock, the speedway's director of medical services. However, tomorrow's re-evaluation is expected to be a mere formality.

"This is somewhat like last year, but we'll be OK," Rice said. "We just need to come back tomorrow and get cleared by Dr. Bock.

"We'll get the backup out and start going to work. We have some work to do, but this team is tough, and we'll be back."

Shortly after Rice's crash, Marty Roth spun sideways in Turn 2 but recovered and continued. A brisk west wind created some issues in Turn 2, but it wasn't immediately clear if Rice's crash was related to the wind.

"It's weird," Rice said. "It just took off. We weren't even into the turn yet when I lost it."