From: Michael Powell 

BRACK TRANSFERRED TO REHABILITATION HOSPITAL OF INDIANA

Two-time “500 winner Unser released from New Mexico hospital

INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003 – IRL IndyCarTM Series driver Kenny
Brack was transferred to the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana in
Indianapolis Oct. 23 from Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, said Dr.
Henry Bock, director of medical services for the Indy Racing League.

Brack, the 1999 Indianapolis 500 winner and 1998 IndyCar Series champion,
remains in satisfactory condition and has been under the care of Dr. Kevin
Scheid, an orthopedic surgeon from OrthoIndy, since he was transferred to
Indianapolis Oct. 21 from Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. 

Scheid said that Brack may return to Methodist in the near future for
follow-up surgeries. 

“I'm starting to feel better each day,” Brack said. “I feel good about
going to the rehab center now. I know the rehab will be a long process, but
I plan to work hard and get back to my old self.”

Brack suffered a fractured right femur, a fractured sternum, fractured
lumbar vertebrae and fractures to both ankles in an accident on Lap 188 of
the Chevy 500 on Oct. 12 at Texas Motor Speedway, the final race of the
2003 IndyCar Series season.

He underwent successful surgery on his right femur and both ankles Oct. 12
and successful surgery on his back Oct. 13. 

On Oct. 21, two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. was released from
an Albuquerque, N.M. hospital after he suffered fractures to his pelvis in
an all-terrain vehicle accident Oct. 19 in Chama, N.M. 

“I fractured my pelvis in three places,” Unser said. “If I was still a kid,
I'd probably have been OK, but at age 41, I knew when I stood up that
something wasn't quite right on my left side. I couldn't support myself
with my left leg.

“Fortunately, none of the fractures went through the entire bone. The
damage didn’t warrant surgery, so assuming the next round of x-rays show
everything is still properly aligned, I’ll begin a six to eight week
program of water aerobics to regain my strength. My goal is to be back in a
race car in seven weeks. The chances of that happening, and me racing next
season, are very good.”

Further updates on both drivers will be provided when available.




--- Internet Rex 2.29