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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Meira Returns
As he pulled out of the pits and onto the IMS track on Wednesday morning, Vitor Meira couldn't help but glance over at the Turn 1 wall/safer barrier.
Robin Miller  |  Posted September 30, 2009   Indianapolis, IN
Vitor Meira returned to the seat of an IndyCar this week at Indianapolis. (LAT)
As he pulled out of the pits and onto the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday morning, Vitor Meira couldn't help but glance over at the Turn 1 wall/safer barrier.

"I looked over there and the wall still had that dent in it," said Meira, referring to the impact from his spectacular crash during last May's Indianapolis 500. "I'll admit, I was a little apprehensive before I went out.

"But, by the second lap I was fine and by the fifth lap I was running flat out and I told Larry (Foyt), it really is like riding a bicycle."

The likeable Brazilian suffered a pair of fractured vertebrae after he was speared by Rafael Matos as he turned into the corner at 215 mph. His ABC Supply Dallara smashed into the wall nearly head-on before climbing it and riding it through the first turn.

"I remember the whole thing and I kept hoping there was no sudden stops," recalled Meira, who fortunately came down rightside up. "I'm 100 percent confident it wasn't my fault but that didn't help when I was lying in the hospital. But I know I was probably lucky, it could have been worse."

Of course the timing couldn't have been any worse. Just four races into his first season with A.J. Foyt, the 32-year-old veteran was in a back brace and out for the season.

"The first couple of weeks I didn't think about it too much because I was in pain and I just wanted to rest. The worst part is when you're biking, driving a go-kart and you think you're ready to get back in a car.

"But then you go see Dr. (Terry) Trammell, he shows you the MRI and you understand you just have to be patient."

The original plan called for Meira to make his return in the Oct. 10 season finale at Homestead, Fla.

"Dr. Trammell said he'd feel more comfortable if I just ran a test at Indianapolis and it made sense because I'm not going to gain anything by running that last race," he continued.

"At the race track you don't get a lot of time and you're always pressing to go faster and this is much more relaxed. We're taking our time, being analytical and working on next year."

Besides having his health and career back, Meira also has some peace of mind since he's confirmed to drive for Foyt in 2010.

"That makes you feel so nice, not to have that worry," said the two-time runnerup at Indianapolis. "Terry says I'm 1000 percent and I feel great about this team and my future.

"We couldn't have picked a better day to run either. It's cool so there's good downforce and there's no wind, it's perfect. Being back in an Indy car at Indianapolis, that's why you do this."

Meira ran a total of 65 laps with a top speed of 222.2mph but his boss wasn't concerned with speed.
After fellow Brazilian Rafa Matos sent Meira into the wall at the Indy 500, Vitor has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation on his back. (LAT)

“We came here to run laps not set track records,” said Foyt. “It’s important to get back in the car as soon as possible. That’s what I used to try to do to make sure you even really want to do this even though you are telling yourself you do. A lot of times, it’s like a racehorse, once they get operated on they never seem to come back to their former status.

"With Vitor, I’ve seen he’s right back to where he was before the wreck so we’re real happy and he’s real happy. So that was the biggest thing was to get him back in the saddle.”

NOTE: A.J. Foyt To Appear On Wind Tunnel Sunday With Guest Host Robin Miller!

A.J. Foyt has agreed to appear on Wind Tunnel this Sunday Oct. 4th with Robin Miller hosting. The controversial motorsports maven has been working for several years to secure Foyt as a guest on the weekly motorsports news show.

Miller and Foyt will discuss the 'good ol days' while showing vintage footage of highlights from Foyt's record-setting career. Foyt will be in his raceshop in Texas while Miller will be hosting from the Wind Tunnel studio in North Carolina so Miller will be free to ask any question without fear of getting throttled by Foyt...immediately.

Tune in to the SPEED channel this Sunday at 9pm ET.
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