Chuck Buckman, the crewman who was struck in the pit lane by Danica Patrick last Friday during practice for the Indianapolis 500, was released from Methodist Hospital on Tuesday.

Buckman, chief machanic for Brazilian driver Mario Moraes of Dale Coyne Racing, was struck by Patrick as she was pulling into her pit area in the final test session before pole qualifying last Saturday.

Buckman was knocked into the air and landed on his face, knocking him unconscious. He suffered a skull fracture and a traumatic hemorrhage but has healed enough to continue his recovery at home.

Patrick, absolved of wrongdoing by the Indy Racing League in the incident, became the first woman to win a race in a major racing series when she took the title at Japan's Twin Ring Motegi on 20 April.

Brazilian team-mate Tony Kanaan talked with Patrick shortly after the incident.

"When I came in, she had tears in her eyes, so I hugged her and she cried a little more, so maybe that was a bad move on my behalf," he said.

"I said: 'Let it go.' She was like: 'He has a family.' I said: 'It wasn't your fault. He's going to get better.'

"There is not a lot you can say. I said: 'You've got to keep your head straight.' I said: 'Go talk to his team. Call his family.'"

The next day, Patrick qualified fifth for the 25 May race, the row two center starting spot being the best for any American racer.

Sports Illustrated will have Patrick on its cover this week, although the honor could turn into a curse since there is a much-balleyhooed "jinx" attached to past cover-featured athletes.

Practice resumes on Wednesday. The final 22 spots in the 33-car field will be on offer when qualifying resumes Saturday.