IndyCar horror crash ends Wickens' season

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It was a massive shunt at Pocono yesterday that left 29-year-old IndyCar rookie Robert Wickens injured but fortunately alive.

The Canadian driver, a revelation in IndyCar this season, was running wheel-to-wheel with Andretti's Ryan Hunter-Reay when the two drivers touched, igniting a huge crash that ultimately wiped out five cars.

Wickens collected Hunter-Reay's Dallara, was launched into the catch-fencing before spinning endlessly in the air, with all four corners of the car torn off.

The tub came to rest, it's driver still conscious but afflicted with heavy wounds to his legs, right arm and spine. Wickens was airlifted to hospital where he was also diagnosed with a pulmonary contusion.

The cars of Hunter-Reay, James Hinchcliffe, Pietro Fittipaldi and Takuma Sato were among the incident's casualties, but all four drivers fortunately emerged unscathed from the spectacular wreck.

The race was delayed for nearly two hours as crews repaired the fencing, eventual winner Alex Rossi admitting in Victory Lane that it was "tough to celebrate" with Wickens in hospital.

Needless to say, the Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports driver won't be racing again this season as he faces a lengthy recovery period ahead.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.