Wilson heads home to begin recovery
IndyCar pilot Justin Wilson returned home to Colorado this week to begin his recovery process after suffering injuries in a lap 111 accident in the 2013 IndyCar season finale at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California last weekend.
Justin suffered a pulmonary contusion as well as three fractures to his pelvis from the impact, which saw the front of a competitor’s car make lateral (t-bone) contact with the right side of Wilson’s DW12. The recovery process will require several weeks of inactivity for Wilson.
The order to keep off his feet is a big adjustment for Justin, who in addition to his duties as a doting dad to his two young daughters Jane and Jessica, stays extremely active with a comprehensive training program that integrates long-distance cycling, mountain biking, and weight training.
“They said it will be six weeks before I can put weight on my right side," said Justin, who has already become adroit with his new crutches he will use to get around. “I am hoping for a lot less (time) of course, but you have to do what they say. It will be hard because I am already thinking about getting back in the car and training to be ready for that, but it will just take some time."
Justin has a recent precedent for this process after suffering a back injury in practice at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August, 2011. But after sitting out the final six races of the IndyCar season, Justin returned to 2012 race duty in fine form, winning in his first race back with a breakthrough victory for Michael Shank Racing in the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona.
While obeying doctors orders and keeping off his feet will be key to his healing, the affable Briton has already also benefited from an outpouring of support from a wide range of sources.
“It has been amazing, several of the drivers came and visited me in the hospital and everyone has called, tweeted, or texted me just saying ‘get well fast’. It has been a little overwhelming," said Justin. “I’d like to respond to everyone, but I think it would be impossible! I am grateful for the support, and it is really encouraging for me."
The primary partner on Justin's No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda-powered machine was the Boy Scouts of America, and the group was another outlet of support as the national council organized a section of the website for Scouts from across the country to wish him a speedy recovery (http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2013/10/21/justin/).