IndyCar News: Rossi returns to cockpit after breaking thumb

American Alexander Rossi will return behind the wheel of the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet at the next event Saturday, Aug. 17 at World Wide Technology Raceway after missing the latest NTT INDYCAR SERIES race in Toronto with a broken thumb.

Rossi was cleared by the INDYCAR medical team and will drive in the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline on the 1.25-mile oval at WWTR. He finished second at this race in 2018.

Those who tested at the track in the past week said they expect very little passing in the race and more of a follow the leader parade.

2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Rossi suffered a broken right thumb Friday, July 19 during the opening practice for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto when he hit the tire barriers on the temporary street circuit.

Theo Pourchaire replaced Rossi in the race, qualifying 26th and finishing 14th after a frantic, trans-Atlantic journey to reach Canada’s largest city from his native France.

Rossi is ninth in the series standings this season, with a best finish of third at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Arrow McLaren announced July 2 it was parting company with underperforming and overrated Rossi after this season, his second with the team, with Christian Lundgaard moving from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to take the seat starting in 2025.