Ryan Hunter-Reay Amuses at Indy 500 Victory Banquet; Mike Conway Update

INDIANAPOLIS-- Hours after thumb surgery, an amusing Ryan Hunter-Reay took the stage at the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series Indianapolis 500 Victory Celebration to pick up the check for his 18th place finish at the 94th Indianapolis 500.

Hunter-Reay injured his thumb in a collision with Scott Dixon on pit lane.

Explaining the giggles from his corner of supporters, including fiancee Becky Gordon, Hunter-Reay commented “these painkillers are crazy,” bringing laughter from the other drivers and team owners.

Hunter-Reay’s surgery, which needed to occur on an empty stomach, was slightly delayed due to a morning breakfast of Apple Jacks. Later in the day he underwent surgery on his left thumb.

Hunter-Reay will be fitted with a carbon fiber splint and should be allowed to drive on Saturday night at Texas Motor Speedway.

Turning his attention to the terrifying collision he had with Mike Conway in Turn 3, Hunter-Reay remarked that he was “so glad [Mike Conway
] got away with what he did--which is a broken leg.”

Conway made contact with Hunter-Reay with two laps to go in the race when he did not realize that Hunter-Reay’s car, which was low on fuel, was slowing drastically.

At 220 mph, Conway was without a way to slow down and ran into the back of Hunter-Reay’s car. After being launched into the air, Conway's car flew into the catch fence, breaking into two pieces. The driver’s seat, however, remained intact.

Conway had surgery Sunday evening to repair fractures to his lower left leg. He also suffered a soft tissue injury to his lower left leg and a compression fracture of one of his thoracic vertabrae. He is being fitted for a back brace and is expected to be out for at least three months.

Hunter-Reay did not suffer any injuries from the impact with Conway.

Robyn Lynne Schechter