Hildebrand crashes out during Gateway test

The Ed Carpenter Racing-Chevrolet driver, who is coming off a third-place finish at Saturday’s Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix, made contact with the Turn 2 barrier on his 22nd lap of the test session. 

“It’s really windy out here and we’re trying to sort it out through Turn 1 and Turn 2, and I don’t know if it was gusty or what, but I thought there would be more grip rolling a little higher through the corner but there just wasn’t,” said Hildebrand, who was unhurt.

“I collected the outside wall at the exit of Turn 2. I felt like I was out of [the throttle] forever, trying to let it regain some grip while going up the hill, and it just didn’t [grip]. 

“I’m frustrated for the team. It was an unnecessary thing to have happen, but hopefully we can get back out later today.”

However, the damage could not be repaired in time, forcing the team to pack up early.

Hildebrand, who missed the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama when he broke his hand after contact with Mikhail Aleshin on the last lap of the Toyota Grand Prix Of Long Beach, said after being released from the medical center: “My hand is fine, no stress.”

With just over one hour remaining in the three-hour test session, track activity is currently on hold while repairs are made to the track. INDYCAR has estimated repairs will take 20 minutes. 

Conor Daly currently leads the way with a top speed of 171.697mph.

Story by Steve Wittich