Salazar plans Nashville comeback
Eliseo Salazar is planning to return to the cockpit this weekend in the Indy Racing League's Firestone Indy 200 at Nashville Superspeedway. The Chilean still requires medical approval, but if he pulls it off, it will mark the completion of an amazing comeback for the 46-year-old.
Salazar was injured in a testing accident at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on April 16 - just days before the SAFER barrier system was installed at the track for the Indy 500. The impact tore a vertebral artery, which required emergency surgery at Methodist Hospital that evening. Because Salazar's sternum had to be cracked open to reach the area in need of repair, doctors predicted he would need at least six months to recover. If all goes well, he will have taken only three.
"I feel great. I am training full-time and I am ready to come back," Salazar said. "I fly to Indy tonight (Tuesday) and will meet with my doctors tomorrow. Hopefully, they will clear me to drive. I don't expect any problems."
To accommodate Salazar's return, Greg Ray will moving to a second Harrah's/Foyt entry, bearing No. 41. Airton Dare, who won his first IRL event at Kansas Speedway last time out, continues to drive the No. 14 Dallara-Chevrolet.
"I told Eliseo that there would be a car for him when he was ready to return," said team boss A.J. Foyt.
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