Alexander Rossi was cleared to compete in the 2026 Indy 500 after injuries suffered during IndyCar practice on May 18. The 2016 winner said he will race on crutches for a non-weight-bearing left-finger and right-ankle injury, and will return to the No. 20 Ed C
Alexander Rossi walked into the room on crutches, the kind of detail that makes you notice how quickly a day can swing from routine to uncertainty. On Thursday, May 21, IndyCar announced that he’s been cleared to race in the 2026 Indy 500, a race scheduled for Sunday, May 24.
IndyCar marked the update with a blunt message on X — “He’s in!” — paired with a flexing arm emoji. Rossi shared the news himself, speaking to the media shortly after, explaining he would have to keep using crutches because his injury would not allow weight bearing.
“I am cleared to race. I will have to be on crutches because it’s a non-weight bearing injury,” Rossi said. He added that driving a racecar doesn’t require bearing weight the way standing or walking does. describing his condition with measurements that sounded like a checklist: “Range of motion’s good. Pain is minimal. Swelling, as you can see, I can fit into my race boot, so we’re good to go.”.
Rossi drives the No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet. The IndyStar. part of the USA TODAY Network. reported that he will compete in his backup car for the Indy 500. and that he is set to participate in Carb Day practice on Friday. May 22. Before the crash, Rossi qualified on the front row in second place behind defending champion Alex Palou.
The clearance comes after a crash during practice on Monday, May 18, when Rossi drove into the wall. The impact triggered additional crashes involving Pato O’Ward and Romain Grosjean. Rossi was hospitalized the same day and treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital. according to his team. Ed Carpenter Racing.
O’Ward and Grosjean spoke to the media on Monday, saying they were okay. Rossi, though, did not speak publicly until Tuesday, May 19, when he took to social media with a wry question: “what did I miss?”
As the week unfolded, Ed Carpenter Racing shared more glimpses of his recovery. On Wednesday, May 20, the team posted a photo on X of Rossi signing autographs for fans at a table, with his leg in a boot and elevated on a chair.
Broadcast reporter Max Lewis, based in Indianapolis, pointed out during the week that Rossi recorded an episode of his podcast with his leg wrapped and his left hand bandaged.
Those details — crutches in a room. a boot for his leg. a racecar ready for Carb Day — place the story in stark contrast to the moment everything broke on May 18. One day delivered the crash; the next days delivered the check-ins, the hospital care, and the gradual return of routine. By May 21, the routine has a clear destination: the 2026 Indy 500 on May 24.
Alexander Rossi IndyCar Indianapolis 500 Indy 500 2026 Ed Carpenter Racing No. 20 Chevrolet Carb Day practice Alex Palou Pato O'Ward Romain Grosjean crash during practice
So he’s cleared… but why is he on crutches still? Sounds like they’re rushing it.
He’s in! lol IndyCar really just moves on like nothing happened. Non-weight-bearing left finger and right ankle… hopefully that finger doesn’t get wrecked again.
Crutches for an ankle but he can still drive?? I mean I guess cars are automatic now? Also I saw he qualified 2nd before the crash so Indy probably felt bad and let him go anyway.
Indy 500 on Sunday and he’s rocking crutches… seems wild. The article says “race boot” and “minimal pain” like that’s supposed to settle my nerves. And the part about backup car is kinda confusing, like is he switching cars mid-season or just for the Indy 500? Either way he better not crash into the wall again.