Indy NXT driver Ernie Francis Jr., who wheels the No. 99 HMD Motorsports/Force Indy entry, underwent surgery last Friday to repair his fractured wrist.
The injury was caused by first-lap contact at the start of the Indy NXT by Firestone event at Alabama’s Barber Motorsports Park on April 30. Once the surgery took place on May 5, Francis was fitted with a brace and steering wheel grips by Dr. Terry Trammell.
However, Ernie will not be permitted to compete in any wheel-to-wheel racing prior to the Indy NXT by Firestone Detroit Grand Prix on June 3, according to a statement the team released Thursday on Twitter. The goal is to “ensure that additional injury does not occur and that he is 100 percent ready to battle in Detroit.”
Update on @ErnieFrancisJr #HMDMotorsports / #ForceIndy / #INDYNXT / #INDYCAR / @IndyCar @INDYNXT pic.twitter.com/JQ5ODn2jYj
— HMD Motorsports (@HMDMotorsports) May 11, 2023
The No. 99 driver will still be present at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend during the Indy NXT by Firestone Grand Prix to fulfill Force Indy and HMD Motorsports obligations.