INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — American Nicky Hayden won’t race Sunday at Indianapolis after doctors declared him “unfit to ride” Saturday night.
The announcement came hours after Hayden sustained a concussion during a hard crash in qualifying. Hayden regained consciousness before being placed on a stretcher and into an ambulance. He was taken to Methodist Hospital for a CT scan and an X-ray on his right hand.
The Kentucky native and 2006 world champ crashed between turns 14 and 15 on Indy’s 16-turn road course. When the No. 69 bike spun sideways , Hayden was flung into the air and hit his head on the asphalt service hard before somersaulting across the track.
The Ducati team has not said anything about a replacement rider. Hayden had qualified eighth for the Indianapolis Grand Prix.
