Mutoh crashes at Iowa

Newman/Haas Racing (NHR) driver Hideki Mutoh was uninjured during a testing crash today at the 0.875-mile Iowa Speedway oval at approximately 11:45 a.m. CT. Mutoh, who has two podium finishes in two events at this track, was testing in preparation for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 Presented by Pioneer that will take place on Sunday, June 20.

“The test was going quite good; we had good speed and we weren’t in qualifying trim yet," said Mutoh, 27, whose best lap time was 17.94 seconds (179.39 mph) and had completed 78 laps prior to his accident. “We were running in race trim and the speed was pretty good. I just lost the back end of the car between Turns 1 and 2. There are a couple of bumps there and I hit the big one and just spun. I was a little dizzy afterward but I feel fine now. My legs were banged up a little but physically I am fine."

The race car sustained damage to three sides therefore the test was concluded. The IZOD IndyCar Series will return to Iowa Speedway next week for the 250-lap Iowa Corn Indy 250 on June 20. Mutoh finished second at Iowa Speedway in 2008 after starting seventh and finished third after starting 11th in 2009.