Beechler

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Donnie Beechler and rookie Tomas Scheckter crashed Friday during practice for the Grand Prix of Miami.

Beechler, driving for A.J. Foyt, spun in Turn 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, hit the wall and damaged the rear of his car. Beechler got out of the car without assistance but was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami for X-rays after complaining of back and neck pain.

A standout in the sprint car and midget ranks, Beechler made his IRL debut in 1998 at the Indianapolis 500. The Springfield, Ill., native is beginning his first full season with Foyt's organization, and is teamed with Eliseo Salazar.

Scheckter, the son of 1979 Formula One champion Jody Scheckter, also spun in Turn 4 and damaged the rear of his car. He was not injured.

Scheckter signed with Eddie Cheever's team Tuesday. He was the fastest driver during practice Thursday but now will have to qualify in a backup car.

Cheever was fastest in Friday's first group in practice, which was delayed due to Beechler's accident. Cheever led the first group with a fast lap of 26.6225 seconds, at 202.836 mph, in his No. 51 Dallara/Infiniti.

Airton Dare, the IRL rookie of the year in 2000, will replace Beechler in qualifying the No. 14 Harrah's car.

Qualifying was scheduled for Friday afternoon. The race is Saturday.