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Neck pain sidelines Sebastien Bourdais from IndyCar practice

04CJ1015

Chris Jones

MONTEREY, California – Four-time Champ Car Series champion Sebastien Bourdais, one of just four drivers in the NTT IndyCar Series who previously has competed at WeatherTech Raceway at Laguna Seca Raceway, sat out the end of Friday’s final practice session.

Bourdais was experiencing neck pain from a cervical issue that has plagued him in recent years. According to team owner Dale Coyne, it’s an ailment that pops up about once a year.

Bourdais, a 40-year-old driver from Le Mans, France, finished the day with a fast time of 1:10.7061 around the 11-turn, 2.258-mile permanent road course for a speed of 113.948 miles per hour in the No. 18 SealMaster Honda for Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser and Sullivan.

He was 18thout of 24 cars that turned laps on Friday.

Bourdais competed in both the Friday morning and afternoon sessions but parked the car for the pit stop practice that used to be held as a Sunday morning warmup.

This is the first IndyCar Series race at Laguna Seca since CART/Champ Car raced here in 2006. From 2003-2006, Bourdais won four-straight and drove to victory in 2004 and 2006. He led 43 laps in the 2004 win and 47 laps in 2006.

Bourdais left on a golf cart along with his public relations representatives Kevin Diamond to seek treatment for the neck pain.