IndyCar’s Dario Franchitti has ankle surgery after vicious crash

Dario Franchitti underwent surgery to stabilize his broken right ankle after the IndyCar driver went airborne and crashed into the catchfence at a race in Houston, his Target Chip Ganassi Racing team said Monday.

Franchitti, 40, also suffered two spinal fractures and a concussion Sunday but was “awake and alert” when he was admitted to Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center, the team said.

An IndyCar official and two fans also were taken to a hospital for treatment, IndyCar said. They were among several spectators injured by debris from Franchitti’s crash.

Franchitti, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and four-time series champion, issued a statement thanking “everyone for all the well-wishes.”

“I would also like to send my best to all the fans involved in the accident and hope that everyone is alright,” he said.

Ganassi said Franchitti (pronounced Fran-kee-tee) would remain in Houston for a few days and then be taken to Indianapolis for further evaluation.

The accident occurred at the end of the second race of a weekend doubleheader on the streets of Houston.

There is one race left in IndyCar’s season, at Fontana on Oct. 19. A replacement for Franchitti at Fontana has not yet been announced.

Franchitti’s fellow drivers also continued to send him notes of support via Twitter, including Team Penske’s Will Power, who won Sunday’s race.

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