EJ Viso has been cleared to drive in qualifying at Watkins Glen this afternoon after his morning practice accident, and will be able to continue in KV Racing's back-up car.
The Venezuelan's primary Dallara-Honda was wrecked in a massive double impact with the barriers after he ran wide at the first corner this morning. Viso was trying to rejoin from the run-off when he ploughed into the inside barrier before rebounding across the track for a second impact at Turn 2.
"We made a big improvement with the car today," Viso told the official IndyCar website. "The car was running nicely. I got a little wide in Turn 1 and was going through the grass area.
"I believe the skidplate under the car broke and lifted the front part of the car in the air. I couldn't steer the car at all. At that point I was basically a passenger. I just couldn't do anything.
"I put my hands up by my helmet and took the hit into the wall. I feel bad for the crew because our PDVSA car was very good this morning. Now we have to go to the back-up car for qualifying."
Viso ended up ninth in the session times despite the crash. Penske's Ryan Briscoe has led the way in both practice sessions so far this weekend.