Robert Wickens was determined from the very first days after his life-changing 2018 IndyCar accident not to let it define or end his racing career. Wickens was paralyzed from the waist down in the crash at Pocono but was able to return to racing with hand controls.
FILE - Robert Wickens in his pit stall, prepares to go out on the track during practice for the Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Wickens is the championship leader headed into Friday’s Michelin Pilot Challenge season finale at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia.
Wickens was retained by his race team as a consultant but was still angling for ways to drive. He got his opportunity with Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai, which had experience in building and racing cars fitted with a hand control system to accommodate a paralyzed driver. “From a sensory standpoint, I can feel touch OK,” Wickens said. “Where I struggle is my legs are not equally strong. If I have assistance to get to a standing point, and if I have something to hold on to, I can stand up. But I can’t take three steps without holding onto something because I don’t have any core muscles. When I take a step, I can’t balance my upper body, so I basically just fall.”
Wickens says the mental struggles have been far more difficult than trying to recover from his physical injuries.
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