Wilson won’t need surgery

The compression fracture in Justin Wilson's back was compared to injuries suffered by Vitor Meira and Will Power in 2009, which, if true, means his Izod IndyCar Series season is over.

However, that decision has not been made, a Dreyer & Reinbold Racing official said Sunday.

Wilson was flown to Indianapolis on Sunday, one day after his off-track excursion at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He was examined by Dr. Terry Trammell at OrthoIndy.

Wilson couldn't be reached for comment, but he tweeted that surgery isn't expected to be necessary. He added he will wear a back brace for an extended period.

Wilson said he dropped two wheels off the asphalt and then went hopping through the grass. He knew he had done "something" to his back.

"I think the service road was not level with the grass," he said on Twitter. "(The impact) sent the car airborne."

Pagenaud went off course Sunday in the same area Wilson did — exiting turn one — and bounced similarly. Officials had worked the ground to make it more level, and Pagenaud got the car safely back on the course despite hitting the same portion of the asphalt access road.

D&R officials will decide this week who will be in the car for the oval track race in New Hampshire. There is a Thursday open test followed by practice and qualifying Saturday. The race is Sunday. IndyStar