Injured De Ferran to race on in Chicago.

Lap 98 of last Sunday's Michigan 500 saw a frightening accident between Kenny Brack and Christian Fittipaldi and although both drivers were uninjured, the closely following Gil De Ferran suffered more than anyone else.

The Team Penske driver was amongst the large group of cars that was embroiled in a fantastic scrap for the lead when the accident occurred. Brack hit the outside wall as he and Fittipaldi charged onto the back straight, pieces of carbon fibre were sent flying into the path of the oncoming cars.

At 230mph and more, the damage that one of these shards can do does not bear thinking about as eventual race winner Juan Montoya would testify to. At the end of the race, a piece of Brack's Reynard was found stuck into the Colombian's roll-hoop, inches away from his head.

De Ferran was not so lucky and a flying piece of debris hit the Brazilian on the hand as he sped past the incident. The part, which is believed to be one of the rear-wing endplates from Brack's Shell sponsored Reynard, struck De Ferran at well over 150mph.

"It was quite painful and my hand went numb," said the driver who later retired from the race with suspension damage. The force with which the debris hit De Ferran was sufficient to break on of the fingers on his left hand. However the Brazilian, who currently lies fourth in the standings will continue to race at this weekends oval race in Chicago as he attempts to score Penske's first Championship success since 1994.