Stefan Wilson checks in to provide an update on his recovery after visiting the doctor for his one-month checkup following back surgery to repair the damage done in the crash during Indianapolis 500 practice that forced him to miss the race. …
Stefan Wilson checks in to provide an update on his recovery after visiting the doctor for his one-month checkup following back surgery to repair the damage done in the crash during Indianapolis 500 practice that forced him to miss the race.
Takuma Sato’s spotter Chris Wheeler and RACER’s Marshall Pruett run through what to look for today at the Indy 500 where history will be made when four women go over the wall to perform pit stops, and then a surprise visitor to Gasoline Alley – …
Takuma Sato’s spotter Chris Wheeler and RACER’s Marshall Pruett run through what to look for today at the Indy 500 where history will be made when four women go over the wall to perform pit stops, and then a surprise visitor to Gasoline Alley — Stefan Wilson — tells us about his progress after having back surgery a few days ago.
The day before his Indianapolis 500 practice crash, Stefan Wilson was grilled by RACER’s Marshall Pruett to see if he could name all 20 of his sponsors, with a penalty for him if he failed and a penalty for Pruett if he nailed the long list. …
The day before his Indianapolis 500 practice crash, Stefan Wilson was grilled by RACER’s Marshall Pruett to see if he could name all 20 of his sponsors, with a penalty for him if he failed and a penalty for Pruett if he nailed the long list.
Graham Rahal cherishes the year he spent as teammate to the late Justin Wilson in 2008, when the teenager learned important things about life and racing from the gentle Briton. Fifteen years later, he’s getting another opportunity to partner with …
Graham Rahal cherishes the year he spent as teammate to the late Justin Wilson in 2008, when the teenager learned important things about life and racing from the gentle Briton. Fifteen years later, he’s getting another opportunity to partner with the Wilson family, this time with Justin’s younger brother Stefan, who is sidelined from competing in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 due to injury.
In one of the most remarkable stories imaginable at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Stefan Wilson, his sponsor and team owner Don Cusick, and the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team that fields Wilson’s No. 24 Chevy have asked Rahal to be their driver in the 107th Indy 500.
“We are very sad that Stefan was injured Monday and now is unable to compete this Sunday in the No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports/CareKeepers Chevrolet,” said Dennis Reinbold, DRR team owner.
“Stefan put so much effort into this race that it is just heartbreaking for this to have happened. However, we are announcing that Graham Rahal will now drive the No. 24 car this Sunday. We have known Graham for over a decade as he drove our car in 2010 at Iowa Speedway. He suffered through a tough weekend here, but we believe Graham can perform very well this Sunday.”
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The call was made on Monday, the day after Rahal was bumped from the field in his own No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, and Rahal accepted, completing an emotion-filled journey of his own. The opportunity comes after Wilson received the news that he’d fractured his back and would be unable to race after being hit from behind and launched into the Turn 1 wall at over 200mph during practice.
“First and foremost, the only thing that matters is that Stefan is doing well considering the circumstances,” said Cusick. “We are completely gutted for Stefan and now will miss his favorite racing event, the legendary Indy 500. We wouldn’t be here without him and we are committed to supporting him every step on the way to recovery and beyond.
“Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and our partners have been nothing but supportive and I couldn’t be more thankful. I am happy that we could fill the seat of the No. 24 DRR/Cusick Motorsports/CareKeepers Chevy with a quality replacement in Graham Rahal. Graham knows the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval very well and we wish him the best this Sunday in the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Wilson’s brother Justin (right) served as a mentor to Rahal early in his career. Motorsport Images
Wilson qualified 25th on Sunday, and with the Cusick/DRR team preparing a new No. 24 entry for Rahal after the primary chassis was destroyed, he’ll get his first chance to drive it during Friday’s two-hour final practice from 11am-1pm. Due to the change of driver, it’s unclear whether IndyCar will move the No. 24 car to the back of the 33-car field to start the race or allow Rahal to take Wilson’s original qualifying position.
“I’ll admit it was a very tough weekend for me and the United Rentals/Fifth Third Bank/RLL team,” said Rahal. “We tried everything, and we just didn’t have the speed. I’m very sad that Stefan was injured in practice on Monday. I wish him a quick recovery.
“I want to thank Dennis and Don for giving me this opportunity in the No. 24 car. I’m anxious to work with the team and prepare for the greatest race in the world, the Indianapolis 500.”
Fifth Third Bank and United Rentals, which had partnered with Rahal on the No.15 entry, will move across to the No.24.
Fostered by the gratitude for all that Justin Wilson gave while mentoring the 19-year-old IndyCar sophomore, the enduring bond between Rahal and the Wilsons runs deep. With Wilson’s loss at the Pocono IndyCar race in 2015, Rahal swept into action to care for Wilson’s wife Julia and young daughters Jane and Jess by rallying the IndyCar paddock and some of the sport’s biggest names spanning NASCAR and Formula 1 to donate helmets and other memorabilia for a charity auction.
Driven by Rahal’s tireless efforts, which also included help from Stefan Wilson, $637,067.94 was raised for Justin Wilson’s wife and daughters. In their proverbial hour of need, Rahal was there, and with an opportunity to return the kindness, Rahal was chosen over a number of drivers to ensure he didn’t miss out on competing in the race that means the most to every IndyCar driver.
Stefan Wilson has been ruled out of this Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 after sustaining a fracture to his 12th thoracic vertebra in a crash during practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday. Wilson, driving the No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold …
Stefan Wilson has been ruled out of this Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 after sustaining a fracture to his 12th thoracic vertebra in a crash during practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday.
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Wilson, driving the No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet, was struck from behind by Katherine Legge’s Rahal Letterman Lanigan car and sent into the outside barrier at Turn 1.
Wilson was transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital, where his injury was revealed during scans. “Based on this type of injury,” read a team statement, “Wilson will not be allowed to compete in this Sunday’s 107th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.”
The Briton will remain in hospital overnight for further tests and observation.
The team, which was preparing a backup car for Wilson before the full extent of his injury was known, said it will have more information about its Indy 500 program “in due course.”
A crash-free month of May came to an end during Monday’s two-hour practice session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when Katherine Legge speared the rear of Stefan Wilson’s car in Turn 1, sending both drivers hard into the barrier. Extra time was …
A crash-free month of May came to an end during Monday’s two-hour practice session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when Katherine Legge speared the rear of Stefan Wilson’s car in Turn 1, sending both drivers hard into the barrier.
Extra time was taken to remove Wilson from his No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevy, with the tall Englishman being strapped to a gurney and loaded into an ambulance. Wilson gave a thumbs-up before the doors were closed. Legge was seen and released after visiting IndyCar’s medical staff.
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Of the two cars, Legge’s briefly caught air but never completely left the track and while Wilson’s car remained on the ground, the front of the tub appeared to be badly damaged.
Regarding Wilson, IMS Medical Director Julia Vaizer said, “I can tell you that he’s doing well. He’s being transported to a local hospital for advanced imaging and further evaluation.”
Like Wilson, the status of Legge’s ability to continue in the event with the same car remains unclear.
“The cars in front of me were checking up and I lifted as much as I could, downshifted, and hit the brakes, but that wasn’t enough,” she said.
Many awards are handed out at the Indianapolis 500, ranging from the pit stop competition to Rookie of the Year. And if the Indianapolis Motor Speedway decides to add one for the “Indy car carrying more sponsor logos than any other,” the No. 24 …
Many awards are handed out at the Indianapolis 500, ranging from the pit stop competition to Rookie of the Year. And if the Indianapolis Motor Speedway decides to add one for the “Indy car carrying more sponsor logos than any other,” the No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and Cusick Motorsports Chevy driven by Stefan Wilson is an early favorite to take home the prize.
According to the team, “CareKeepers has been elevated to primary partner, while Sierra Pacific Windows returns for a third consecutive year as the co-primary partner. The two companies will be joined by a group of 18 illustrious companies supporting the effort.”
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With two of the previously-named firms positioned as the primaries, the latest revelation from DRR and Cusick adds six more partners — all new — to the Briton’s entry in ProviderScience, High Alpha, Rite-Way Thermal, Menlo Ventures, Westin Homes and Westlake Yoga.
The impressive sponsor roll is completed with and additional 13 names in LOHLA SPORT, Fizzy Beez, Liberty Group, Kitchen Mart, the Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, CarBlip, 181 FremontResidences, a Jay Paul Company, Romak Iron Works, Agromin, Mosaic Animal CareGroup, The Thermal Club and Mr. and Mrs. James Lowes.
Altogether, the No. 24 Chevy will be adorned with 20 sponsors.
“When we founded Cusick Motorsports in 2021, we set out to make the racing industry more accessible,” Don Cusick said. “Whether you want to create incredible experiences, build meaningful relationships or create compelling marketing campaigns, we wanted to make it more accessible. When I look at our beautiful race car and the 20 fantastic companies we have with us, I couldn’t be more excited about the Indy 500, and the future.”
