Early Return For Conway?

After suffering back and leg injuries in a spectacular last-lap crash during the Indianapolis 500, the early prognosis on Mike Conway's recovery was that the Englishman would not be returning to the IndyCar Series until next season. Thanks to his aggressive approach to physical rehab, we may see him back in the Dreyer & Rheinbold Racing #24 car by late August.

D&R co-owner (and former IndyCar driver) Robbie Buhl told reporters that Conway hopes to be ready in time for the August 22nd race at Infineon Racway in Sonoma, CA. The biggest issue that might yet force a postponemwnt of Conway's comeback would be the ability of his leg to handle the constant pressure needed to work the brake pedal on a road course like Infineon. “When we go to a place like Infineon, with the elevation, the big brake zones, that's going to be the big challenge, not just for Mike to be walking on that leg but the amount much pressure he needs to put on,” Buhl said.  “The amount of load that needs to go through the brake pedal to stop these cars is huge.”  

In the meantime, D&R has lined up Tomas Scheckter to drive the #24 next weekend at Toronto. While the driver for the July 25th race at Edmonton has not been announced, D&R has struck a deal with 2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion J.R. Hildebrand (who has been driving in the ALMS series this year) to pilot the car at Mid-Ohio and Infineon: If Conway is able to drive at Infineon, D&R will proved a 3rd car for him, thus honoring their deal with Hildebrand.

If Conway is not ready to go by Sonoma, it is still highly likely that he will be back in the #24 car at a later point in the season.