IndyCar News: Alexander Rossi Cleared to Drive Indy 500 Alexander Rossi, driver of the No 20 Java House Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing, had a massive hit on the turn 2 wall this past Monday in the rain-shortened practice session. Rossi spun and made contact with the SAFER Barrier, causing the cars of Pato O’Ward and Romain Grosjean also to spin and sustain damage. Rossi was sent to the hospital for observation overnight and had minor surgery on a finger and on his right ankle the next day. The question was whether the front row starter for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 would be able to participate in the race this coming Sunday. Rossi arrived with the assistance of crutches and hopped on one foot to sit in his seat for the press conference, demonstrating resilience and determination to race despite the injury. Rossi responded to media questions on his condition. “I am cleared to race. I will have to be on crutches because it’s a non-weight-bearing injury. Fortunately, to drive a race car, you don’t have to bear weight. Range of motion is good. Pain is minimal. Swelling, as you can see, I fit into my race boot. I’m good to go.” ” I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about the values of the two impacts, but they were very high, and the fact that we’re here having this conversation and joking about a sore ankle is pretty amazing.” Carb day practice today will give him the ability to drive his new car and get some feel of it before Sunday’s race. –-Lucille Dust —