Jeff Olson, Special for USA TODAY Sports 6:50 p.m. EDT October 7, 2013
Dario Franchitti thanked fans and wished injured fans well in a statement released by Target Ganassi Racing.(Photo: Andrew Weber, USA TODAY Sports)
Story Highlights- Franchitti will be moved to Indianapolis in a few days
- He had surgery to repair a broken right ankle Sunday night
- Fifteen people were injured in the crash
Dario Franchitti is recovering in a Houston hospital Monday after surgery to temporarily stabilize a broken right ankle sustained during a violent crash Sunday during an IndyCar street race.
"Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes," Franchitti said in a statement released by Target Chip Ganassi Racing. "They mean a lot to me."
FRANCHITTI: Injured in scary crash in Houston
Target Chip Ganassi Racing spokesman Kelby Krauss said Monday that Franchitti will undergo a second surgery on his ankle once he is transferred to Indianapolis, but that could be "within a few days."
Franchitti also sustained two spinal fractures and a concussion in the crash on the final lap of the Grand Prix of Houston. His car went airborne and struck a catchfence, sending portions of the fence and other debris into a grandstand, injuring an IndyCar official and 13 fans.
Two of the fans were taken to a hospital for treatment; others were treated at the scene and released. Franchitti was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, where he underwent surgery Sunday night.
"I would also like to send my best to all the fans involved in the accident and hope that everyone is alright," Franchitti said in the statement.
Franchitti's Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon visited one of the injured fans in the hospital with reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan, who shared a photo on his Twitter handle @TonyKanaan.
Franchitti's brother Marino, a driver in the American Le Mans Series who has been with him at the hospital, tweeted: "Can't thank you all enough for all the wishes & support. @dariofranchitti is doing well considering, recovery starts here.."
Actress Ashley Judd, who married Franchitti in 2001 though the pair announced their separation earlier this year, tweeted Sunday afternoon that she and their dogs were on the way to Houston. Monday, Judd tweeted she was "Amazed by the incredible outpouring of care & prayers" and that they're "Keeping our heads down here & doing what's in front of us to do."
IndyCar released a statement Monday afternoon on the last-lap crash:
"Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by yesterday's accident. Thank you to the people of Houston for their support of the Grand Prix and their concern for Dario Franchitti, the fans and race personnel. INDYCAR is thoroughly reviewing the incident. Reducing the risks that are associated with racing is one of our highest priorities and receives our constant and on-going focus."
RAHAL: Franchitti wreck reminds him of Wheldon
Franchitti also suffered a broken back in a motorcycle crash in 2003 that shortened his first season with then-Andretti Green Racing.
That injury required surgery. Franchitti returned for a full season in 2004, winning two races.
Franchitti won four consecutive IndyCar titles from 2007-11.
PHOTOS: Dario Franchitti through the years
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Last SlideNext SlideFranchitti's car became airborne as he tried to pass Takuma Sato on a fast portion of the course in Turn 5. The car went airborne and tore into fencing, which held. His No. 10 Honda came to rest back on the temporary street circuit around Reliant Park with the front end missing but with the tub portion of the chassis intact. E.J. Viso was also caught up in the crash.
Viso and Sato climbed from their cars unharmed.
Franchitti could be seen moving shortly after the car came to rest. At one point, he lifted his helmet's visor and appeared to be removing his gloves.
Later, team owner Chip Ganassi told USA TODAY Sports' Curt Cavin he asked the 40-year-old Scotsman about his condition before being loaded into an ambulance.
Ganassi said Franchitti responded: "I don't know."
The accident occurred just 10 days shy of the two-year anniversary of the death of Dan Wheldon, who died when his head struck a post at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after his car sailed 325 feet through the air in a fiery 15-car wreck that caused the race's cancellation.
"To be totally honest, when I came up on it I had a flashback to Vegas, but on a smaller scale," Rahal told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday after the race. "When I came through there, the amount of carbon fiber and debris was mind-boggling. I was just hoping everyone was OK at that point. There were parts and pieces everywhere."
Dixon, who took over the IndyCar Series points lead after a second-place finish in Sunday's race, was close friends with Wheldon.
He told USA TODAY Sports after the race the crash sites in Las Vegas and Houston were similar.
"It's the smells and the visuals," Dixon said. "There was nowhere near the amount of damage that we saw (in Las Vegas), but seeing the replay, I think, was the big shock."
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PHOTOS: Franchitti's scary crash at Grand Prix of Houston
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Last SlideNext SlideSource: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/indycar/2013/10/07/dario-franchitti-indycar-accident-crash-injured-surgery/2937343/
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