THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS — IndyCar rookie Josef Newgarden had surgery on his finger Tuesday and will miss this weekend’s race at Baltimore.
Newgarden will be replaced in Sunday’s race by Bruno Junqueira, who has run just seven laps in IndyCar since 2008.
Newgarden broke his left index finger in a frightening crash with Sebastien Bourdais in Sunday’s race at Sonoma. Newgarden and Bourdais were racing for position when Bourdais went wide on the course. Apparently struggling to turn the car, Bourdais then ran into Newgarden and both cars went off course.
Newgarden slammed hard into a wall of tires.
"I’m really disappointed to not be in the car this weekend but I know Bruno will do a great job for SFHR," Newgarden said. "I’ll be in Baltimore helping Bruno and the team in any way I can and focusing on healing for Fontana."
Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing hopes to have Newgarden back for the Sept. 15 season finale at Fontana. The team turned to Junqueira, who ran 16 of 18 IndyCar races in 2008.
Junqueira has 21 career starts in IndyCar, but ran 101 races in CART. He has eight career victories and finished second in the CART championship three times.
"It is lucky that we were able to call on Bruno for this weekend’s race," team co-owner Sarah Fisher said. "He has had great results prior to climbing into the No. 67 car, and I hope we can give him the right platform to bring home a solid finish this weekend in Baltimore. I know Josef is disappointed in the circumstances, as we all are, but this team is being built around him and his seat will be ready for him when he’s ready. We look forward to a healthy and speedy recovery for Josef."
Junqueira is running full-time in the American Le Mans Series and won at Mosport Park in Canada. He’ll be running both the ALMS race on Saturday for Rocketsports Racing and the IndyCar race on Sunday at Baltimore.
"I am very happy to be back in IndyCar with SFHR for the Baltimore race weekend," Junqueira said. "Sarah’s team is very organized and has been fast all season. They have done a great job with Josef and I hope to give them a good race weekend in Baltimore while Josef is healing."