Veteran Indianapolis 500 race car driver, Ryan Briscoe, is expected to be announced as the replacement driver for James Hinchcliffe at this weekend’s Indianapolis 500. Hinchcliffe was injured in a crash during practice this week when his car hit the wall at Turn Three and sent a piece of suspension through his protective driver shell, piercing his thigh and pelvic area and forcing him into emergency surgery. Hinchcliffe is reported to be in stable condition following the surgery.
The Aussie Briscoe, who is married to ESPN motorsports reporter Nicole Briscoe [formerly Manske], has raced at Indianapolis nine times, finishing fifth in both 2007 and 2012. Briscoe claimed the pole position in that 2012 race and has started five times in the front three rows. Last year, Briscoe started 30th and finished 18th in the race.
