Davy Jones Injured in Crash During Practice for Indy 200

ORLANDO, Fla. — Davy Jones, second-place finisher in last year’s Indianapolis 500, suffered head injuries in a crash Thursday during the first official day of practice for the Indy 200, the Indy Racing League’s first race of the year.

Jones, 32, driving Rick Galles’ G Force/Olds Aurora, lost control in the third turn of Disney World’s mile tri-oval and slid across the dirt before hitting the outside wall with the rear end. The car did half a spin before slowly caroming back across the track to hit the inside wall, again with the rear end. The car was extensively damaged.

Jones, who lives in Lake Tahoe, Nev., was taken by helicopter to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where his condition was listed as critical but stable. Later in the day, after Jones regained consciousness, his condition was upgraded to serious. X-rays showed no skull fracture, according to Dr. Henry Bock, track medical director.

Galles said he expected Jones to be released from the hospital Monday.

Former motocross champion Jeff Ward of San Juan Capistrano is expected to drive the team’s backup car today in hopes of qualifying.

Only 17 cars were on the track for their final pre-qualifying shakedown. Tony Stewart, in John Menard’s G Force/Olds Aurora, had the day’s fastest lap at 167.715 mph, more than 4 mph faster than defending Disney World champion Buzz Calkins, who ran 163.258, also in a G Force/Olds Aurora.