Japan’s Takuma Sato hits wall hours before Indianapolis 500 qualifications begin

Japan’s Sato crashes during Indy 500 practice

INDIANAPOLIS — Japanese driver Takuma Sato will have X-rays on a sore back after crashing in a morning practice session at Indianapolis.

Sato spun coming out of the second turn on the 2.5-mile oval, slid up the track and hit the outside wall with the rear of his No. 5 car. After being helped out of the car and walking around on the track, the former Formula One driver was taken to a local hospital with back pain. No additional details about his condition were immediately available.

The crash occurred about two hours before qualifying begins for the Indianapolis 500.

Sato is the third driver from KV Racing Technology to hit the wall this week. Mario Moraes, of Brazil, and E.J. Viso, of Venezuela, both crashed Tuesday.