Junqueira undergoes successful spinal surgery

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS, United States (AFP) — Brazil's Bruno Junqueira underwent successful spinal surgery after a crash in the Indianapolis 500 and will be hospitalized until the end of the week, race officials said.

The 28-year-old was listed in fair condition at Methodist Hospital after noted race injury doctor Terry Trammell performed surgery on Monday to repair fractures to two vertabrae.

Trammell said Junqueira suffered no additional spinal injuries but will need to stay in the hospital through the end of the week.

That means Junqueira, who finished 30th in Sunday's 89th Indy race after the crash on lap 76, will likely lose his Champ-car series points lead by missing Saturday's event at Milwaukee.

Junqueira won the second Champ-car race of the season on...