Hawksworth is cleared to compete at Iowa Speedway

INDIANAPOLIS — Jack Hawksworth, Verizon IndyCar Series rookie driver, has been cleared to compete in this weekend’s Iowa Corn Indy 300 at Iowa Speedway.

IndyCar announced Tuesday that Hawksworth was cleared by IndyCar medical director Dr. Michael Olinger to drive in the race presented by DEKALB here in Newton.

Hawksworth was diagnosed with a myocardial contusion suffered in a practice crash July 5 for the Pocono 500 fueled by Sunoco at Pocono Raceway. After initially being checked, cleared and released from the infield care center following the incident. Hawksworth later felt ill and was transported to Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pa., where he was held overnight for observation. He was released July 6.

Hawksworth, 23, of Bradford, England, has three top-10 finishes in his first Verizon IndyCar Series season. The driver and entrant, BHA/BBM with Curb-Agajanian, received half points for the 200-lap race at Pocono Raceway.

Hawksworth and several other of the 22 IndyCar drivers competing in this weekend’s Iowa Corn Indy 300 will be profiled in the Newton Daily News Thursday and Friday.

Practice and qualifying laps for the IndyCar race are Friday. The Iowa Corn Indy 300 is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Iowa Speedway.