American Memorial 500 leader loses legs in crash late in race

KLETTWITZ, Germany -- Two-time CART champion Alex Zanardi lost both of his legs after his car was hit by another traveling about 200 mph Saturday during the American Memorial 500.

CART officials described the 34-year-old Italian's condition as "stable" and said he lost one leg above the knee and one below. He was airlifted to a Berlin hospital for surgery.

CART's first race in Europe was originally called the German 500 but was renamed to honor the terrorist victims in the United States. CART is one of the few major U.S.-based sports competing this weekend. The NFL and major league baseball called off all games, the PGA Tour put off its tournaments, and NASCAR postponed its Winston Cup New Hampshire 300 race.

Zanardi was leading with 12 laps to go Saturday when his car left pit road. As he pulled out, he appeared to accelerate too early and lose control as his car swerved across a grassy area.

The car moved into the path of Alex Tagliani's car, scattering debris across the asphalt track before a crowd of 87,600 at the EuroSpeedway.

Tagliani, a Canadian, was "awake and alert," and X-rays showed no serious injuries, CART said. He was being treated at the same hospital and was expected to stay 24-to-48 hours.

Patrick Carpentier, who finished third in the race, managed to avoid Zanardi as the Italian's car entered the track. Tagliani was the next car through.

"I almost hit Zanardi," Carpentier said. "He came up the track and I went sideways and almost hit the wall to avoid him. I didn't know that Tag had hit him. I knew somebody was going to hit him because he was going up the track and we were at full speed."

Zanardi, who was seeking his first victory this season, is one of CART's most high-profile drivers.

"We are devastated by the extent of Alex's injuries. But we are so very thankful that he is on his way to surviving such a tremendous impact," said Morris Nunn, the owner of Zanardi's car.

Kenny Brack of Sweden won Saturday's race under a yellow flag. Max Papis of Italy was second and Patrick Carpentier third. It was Brack's fourth victory of the season.