Accident Injures McGehee Crew Chief

Steve Fried, crew chief for rookie Robby McGehee, was hospitalized Sunday in critical condition with head and chest injuries after being hit by another car in the pits during the Indianapolis 500.

Eliseo Salazar’s spin brought out a yellow caution flag on the ninth lap and when Jimmy Kite and Jeret Schroeder collided in the pits, Kite’s car hit Fried.

“His vital signs are stable, and he can follow commands,” said Dr. Henry Bock, speedway medical director, after the crewman was admitted to Methodist Hospital.

Said McGehee of Fried after his fifth-place finish: “He made the whole race for me. I want to dedicate the whole race to him. When it happened, I didn’t know what to say or what to do. When I heard he woke up and gave two thumbs up, I was so happy. He gave me a great car.”

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Rookie John Hollansworth Jr. finished his first Indy 500 in 13th place without incident, but not without a scare.

“I had two wrecks right in front of me,” he said. Asked how he felt, Hollansworth said, “Terrifying . . . but wonderful once I emerged from it.”

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Curiously, six cars finished in the same position in which they started--Billy Boat, third; Robby Gordon, fourth; Hideshi Matsuda, 10th; Davey Hamilton, 11th; Roberto Guerrero, 25th; and Jack Miller, 31st.

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Kenny Brack is the first driver since Bobby Unser in 1975 to win the national championship and follow that up with an Indianapolis 500 victory.