Stefan Wilson is fully recovered from the crash during practice in May that ruled him out from participating in his fifth Indy 500.
The Briton was unable to compete after fracturing his back in a hit from behind by Katherine Legge, which fired his Cusick Motorsports/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing entry into the Turn 1 wall.
“I’m back to 100 percent,” Wilson told RACER. “I’ve been back on track in a Ferrari Challenge car and everything felt great and normal. There were no restrictions. And I have been working out like mad to get all the way back to where I was before. I’m feeling ready to go and strong.”
Wilson qualified 25th for the 500 in the No. 24 Chevy and was taking part in practice the following day when the incident occurred. Legge’s teammate, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Graham Rahal, who failed to qualify, was named as Wilson’s replacement, and finished 22nd.
Since the crash, Wilson has focused on physical rehabilitation and securing his next Indy 500 opportunity with team owner Don Cusick. It’s believed the Dreyer & Reinbold team has filled both slots, which has led to a new search for the 34-year-old and his partner.
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster,” Wilson said. “It’s a crowded scene with teams and drivers. Interest in the Indy 500 has never been higher in my lifetime, so trying to find a seat is really difficult. There was hope to continue our partnership from last May, but that’s not likely to happen, so Don and I are talking with other teams and seeing what’s available for us.”
For Wilson, getting a chance to put the painful outcome from May behind him is a significant motivator.
“I’m hoping the last laps I ran at Indy aren’t the last I’ve ever ran,” he said. “I’d hate for that to be how the story ends there for me, so I’m working to get back and put all of that behind us.”
