INDIANAPOLIS – Alexander Rossi drove for the first time since having procedures done on his right ankle and left middle finger in the aftermath of a crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday during Friday’s Indianapolis 500 Carb Day practice.
Rossi drove 48 laps in the No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet, which was tied for the second fewest of the day. Rossi, who was cleared by IndyCar’s medical staff on Thursday, needed Friday’s practice to drive with the injury and in the backup car his team is using.
“I feel fine,” Rossi said. “It’s good. It was really important that it didn’t rain today, for obvious reasons, and the 20 car crew did an amazing job.”
Rossi is driving with a brace on his right foot, which he said “feels different, but it feels fine.” Rossi, who had the third-slowest fastest lap on Friday, said he’s raced with a broken big toe in the past when asked on Thursday.
After the Indy 500, IndyCar’s schedule moves to the Detroit Grand Prix on May 31. Rossi confirmed that, although more braking and lifting will be necessary on the street course in downtown Detroit, he will be driving in Detroit as well.
For now, Rossi’s attention remains on Sunday’s 110th Indianapolis 500, where he’ll have the best starting position of his career at second. The crew on the No. 20 car will spend the next two days getting it to the best shape possible for the 200-lap race.
“We kind of had to restart the month,” Rossi said. “What we would usually do on the first day, just evaluate everything and make sure that all the boxes are checked. … The car feels great, the speed’s where it needs to be, and we’ll have a good shot at it on Sunday.”
Ten years ago, Rossi came to IMS as a rookie and stunned everyone by winning his first Indy 500. He’ll look to capture his second victory in the race while battling through multiple injuries.
Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Alexander Rossi on driving after crash: ‘Feels different, but it feels fine’
Reporting by Zion Brown, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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