Rice hurt in practice crash

Rice sustained contusions to 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, Indianapolis Motor Speedway's director of medical services.

On the same date a year ago, Rice crashed hard in Turn 2. He sustained a back contusion and concussion and was not allowed to participate in the Indy 500, which he won in 2004.

The injuries Rice sustained Thursday were not believed to be as serious as those sustained last year, but Rice and Bock were not immediately available for comment.

Shortly after Rice's crash, Marty Roth spun sideways in Turn 2 but recovered and continued.

By 4:30 p.m. EDT, two drivers - Sam Hornish Jr. and Dan Wheldon - had surpassed 226 mph, the fastest laps so far this week.

Hornish, who had the fastest laps Tuesday and Wednesday, topped out at 226.789 mph in the No. 6 Marlboro Team Penske Honda/Dallara.