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©1999 SpeedCenter Publishing Montreal, Quebec, August 9, 1999 - Player's CART driver Patrick Carpentier will be forced to sit out this weekend's race at Mid-Ohio after further tests revealed a minimal compression fracture of the third thoracic vertebra (T-3) following yesterday's crash during the Grand Prix of Detroit at Belle Isle. "The injury will not require surgical care and Patrick will be convalescing and starting rehabilitation in Indianapolis," said Dr. Terry Trammell, CART's Chief Orthopedic Consultant, who examined Carpentier this morning in Indianapolis. Carpentier was initially evaluated and treated at the Detroit Receiving Hospital and University Health Center where the injury was diagnosed and treatment initiated. "Originally, I thought I would be cleared to drive at Mid-Ohio, but further tests showed that I sustained a small fracture in the accident with Mauricio (Gugelmin)," said Carpentier. It's an unfortunate situation, but I have to stay focused on the rest of the season and come back stronger than ever for all the guys on the Player's CART Team who have worked so hard to give me a competitive car." As for the accident itself, Carpentier described it in these terms: "I was trying to pass Bryan Herta when I felt the back of the car slide toward the wall as a result of the contact with Mauricio. I took a blow to the head and then two more hard knocks before coming to a stop. It was so violent that my head was almost thrown under the steering. It was totally unexpected and there was no way to avoid it." For the management at Player's Racing, the feeling was one of relief that Carpentier managed to escape serious injury. "It's a tough situation for Patrick and we understand how disappointed he feels, but the most important thing is to get him back in complete health and racing again," said Mark Thorne, Marketing/Communications Manager at Player's.
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