Failure blamed for Schroeder/Hamilton crash.
Jeret Schroeder was just biding his time during the Casino Magic 500 when mechanical difficulties with on the Tri-Star Motorsports' car caused him to lose power abruptly and crash in turn two.
Although Schroeder escaped with only a bruised ankle and did not require medical treatment, and third-party victim Sarah Fisher was later able to rejoin the fray, the third driver involved in the accident, Davey Hamilton, suffered two severely broken lower legs.
Jeret Schroeder was just biding his time during the Casino Magic 500 when mechanical difficulties with on the Tri-Star Motorsports' car caused him to lose power abruptly and crash in turn two.
Although Schroeder escaped with only a bruised ankle and did not require medical treatment, and third-party victim Sarah Fisher was later able to rejoin the fray, the third driver involved in the accident, Davey Hamilton, suffered two severely broken lower legs.
Schroeder, who qualified 15th in his first race with Tri-Star Motorsports this year, said the problem developed with no warning. He had dropped back a few positions initially to let the field sort itself out, but he was back up to 15th position by lap 57. He was holding that position when the accident occurred on lap 73, bringing out the second of six caution flags in the 200-lap race.
"It felt like I last an engine," Schroeder said after being examined and released from the infield medical centre, "It could have been the gearbox, but if felt more like the engine. I just decreased my speed, oiled up the rear tyres and crashed in turn two. Something definitely broke in the back, though.
"There was no indication of any problem, and the Tri-Star car was actually running well. We were just biding our time, waiting to see how things developed. I feel bad for the Tri-Star guys, because they always work hard, and I really hope Davey is okay."
Later statements from a team member indicated that the engine may have seized, but may not have blown, because there was no oil in the car's belly pan after the crash. Regardless of the actual cause, the car was extensively damaged in the accident.
Schroeder ended up 23rd in the final rundown after starting 15th. He is now 21st in the Indy Racing Northern Light Series point standings.
The series' next race is this Sunday at Pikes Peak International Raceway, but it is not yet known whether Schroeder will be competing. The Tri-Star Motorsports arrangement was a one-race deal for Texas, and the team with which Schroeder has been running so far this year, PDM Racing, is not planning to compete at Pikes Peak unless additional sponsorship funds can be secured.
