IndyCar drivers find comfort in getting back to work

SONOMA, Calif. – It was back to work for IndyCar on Friday as its drivers were able to climb back into their cars as a distraction – albeit a temporary one – from their grief over the death of Justin Wilson.

Wilson died Monday of a head injury suffered a day earlier when he was stuck by debris from another car at Pocono Raceway. The 37-year-old British driver left behind a wife and two young daughters.

Oriol Servia will drive Wilson’s car at his family’s request in Sunday’s season finale at Sonoma Raceway. The family initially wanted NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger, one of Wilson’s closest friends and a former teammate, but car owner Michael Andretti said Allmendinger passed.

The loss of one of the most popular drivers in the paddock has been difficult for his peers, but many said Wilson would have wanted Sunday’s race to go on.