Josef Newgarden makes speedy return after breaking clavicle, wrist

ByJOHN OREOVICZ
June 24, 2016, 6:19 PM

— -- ELKHART LAKE, Wis. -- Twelve days after breaking his collarbone and wrist in an accident at Texas Motor Speedway, Verizon IndyCar Series driver Josef Newgarden returned to action.

Driving with a brace on his right hand, Newgarden was cleared to participate in a practice session for the Kohler Grand Prix on the 14-turn Road America course. He turned 16 laps in his Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet, posting the 10th-best speed in the 22-car field.

"It's going to be hard, I think, but I hope I have enough to muster through it for the rest of the weekend," Newgarden said after the 75-minute session.

"I'm going to be pushing for it. I have to convince more people, I would assume. But I just got off the track, so we'll see what everybody says. I'll do whatever I've got to do to last the whole weekend."

In the accident at Texas, Newgarden was an innocent bystander to Conor Daly's spin when Daly's car pushed Newgarden's car onto its side and into the wall. After receiving treatment for his broken bones in Indianapolis, Newgarden was cleared to drive in practice at Road America and will be re-evaluated by Dr. Michael OIinger prior to Sunday's 50-lap race.

JR Hildebrand is on hand in case Newgarden is not cleared to drive in the race.

Newgarden, 25, lies fourth in the IndyCar Series standings, so making a comeback without missing a race is important to his championship hopes.

Newgarden said he expected G-forces under braking and cornering to affect his injured clavicle, but that wasn't the case.

"The fracture doesn't hurt, and I think I've got it in a place now where I can muscle the wheel," Newgarden said. "Surprisingly, the hand is worse than the collarbone.

"Grip strength with your hand is really what's important in these cars, so I think that's going to give me more grief this weekend than the clavicle."