MARCH 27, 2003

De Ferran out with a back injury

Indy Racing League star Gil de Ferran will be out of action for at least a month following a big crash in the Phoenix 200 on Sunday. De Ferran, a close friend of F1 star David Coulthard, suffered minor fractures to the neck and lower back in the crash and has been ordered by doctors to rest for at least a month. Marlboro Penske Racing has announced that de Ferran will be replaced by Alex Barron in the forthcoming Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi.

The double CART Champion should be back in action in time for the Indianapolis 500 at the end of May.