Panther Racing's JR Hildebrand tears ACL, still expected to race at Texas

Panther Racing's JR Hildebrand is expected to race this weekend at the Twin 275 IZOD IndyCar Series races at Texas Motor Speedway, despite suffering a torn ACL in his left knee on Wednesday.

The California native was participating in a promotion at the track called "Driven By Fitness" with Penske Racing drivers Ryan Briscoe and Will Power and four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson when he hit his knee on a hurdle during a race. Initially, his injury was reported as a bruise, but ESPN's Terry Blount cited sources that confirmed that the injury was more severe.

Hildebrand finished second in the 2011 Indianapolis 500 after losing traction while passing a lapped car in the final turn and hitting the retaining wall. Bryan Herta Autosport's Dan Wheldon, a former Panther driver and past champion at Indianapolis, won the race.