IndyCar driver remains in coma after being hit by debris during race

IndyCar driver Justin Wilson remained hospitalized in a coma after sustaining a severe head injury during Sunday's race at Pocono Raceway.

Wilson is in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Lehigh Valley Health Network Cedar Crest Hospital in Allentown, Pa., IndyCar announced in a statement Monday.

"IndyCar continues to send its thoughts and prayers to the family and thanks the entire motorsports community for the outpouring of support," the statement read.

Wilson was struck in the head by a large piece of debris late in the race. He was trailing a pack of cars coming upon a debris field created by the crash of race leader Sage Karam.

Karam spun into the wall and Wilson's car veered left and directly into an interior wall.

Wilson, a 37-year-old veteran from Sheffield, England, who resides in Longmont, Colo., was making his 174th IndyCar race. He has won seven races and eight poles since moving to the series from Formula One. Wilson, a married father of two young girls, is considered one of the nicest men in the sport.

The incident occurred with 21 laps remaining in the 200-lap race at Long Pond, Pa., in the season's final oval-track competition.

"It's just a tough one right now," Michael Andretti, car owner for both Wilson and race winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, said Sunday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Justin right now. We're going to see. Hopefully, he's OK."

Hunter-Reay took to Twitter to show appreciation for the support Wilson and his family are receiving.

"Thanks for all the messages. Praying for Justin Wilson & his family. Can't say enough about him as a person, friend & teammate," Hunter-Reay tweeted Monday morning.