Hinchcliffe expected to make full recovery after crash at Indy 500 practice

James Hinchcliffe is expected to make a full recovery after a horrific crash during practice for the Indianapolis 500, the IndyCar Series announced Wednesday.

Hinchcliffe has been taken out of the Intensive Care Unit, according to series officials, and "continues to make substantial improvement" after Monday's surgery.

"His condition continues to improve," said Dr. Timothy Pohlman, the surgeon who operated on the driver, in a statement released by IndyCar. "Our expectation, in consultation with the IndyCar medical staff, is that a normal recovery is to be expected."

The 28-year-old Oakville, Ontario native required surgery for an injury to his pelvic area and upper left thigh. The accident was believed to be caused by a mechanical failure.

Hinchcliffe was ruled out of Verizon IndyCar Series competition for the foreseeable future and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports has not yet announced a replacement driver for Sunday's race.