Hildebrand to replace injured Newgarden

JR Hildebrand

Ed Carpenter Racing told motorsport.com that JR Hildebrand will replace the injured Josef Newgarden in the #21 car at Wednesday’s Road America test, and until Newgarden is ready to return.

After breaking his right clavicle and fracturing his right hand in a 200mph crash at Texas Motor Speedway yesterday, Newgarden’s absence is for an as yet undefined period. However, with the 25-year-old American being in no fit state to drive an IndyCar at Road America just 72 hours after that shunt, team owner Ed Carpenter has called up Hildebrand to sub for him.

Hildebrand has raced for a third Carpenter car at the last three Indianapolis 500s (with a best finish of sixth two weeks ago) but has also campaigned the extra ECR entry at the last two Grand Prix of Indianapolis on the road course.

Carpenter told Motorsport.com: “We’re testing with JR at Road America on Wednesday and he’ll fill in for Josef until he’s ready to return.

“As of now, we’re uncertain how many races Josef will have to miss – if any at all. We’ve not had those conversations with his doctors just yet."