Stoner carried off after qualifying crash

Australia’s Casey Stoner, pictured in 2011, was stretchered off the track after a crash on his Honda during qualifying on Saturday for the Indianapolis Grand Prix.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - Australia’s Casey Stoner was stretchered off the track after a crash on his Honda during qualifying on Saturday for the Indianapolis Grand Prix.

Stoner, the reigning world champion and last year’s winner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, complained of pain in his left ankle at the circuit’s medical center.

Stoner ranks third in this year’s season points chase behind Jorge Lorenzo and second-place Dani Pedrosa, both of Spain.

Meanwhile, Speedway officials confirmed that Hector Faubel escaped serious injury in an earlier crash in the Moto3 division.

Ben Spies’s bike skidded out and he landed heavily on his left side. Moments later, Nicky Hayden went flying when his machine spun and he appeared to come down upon his right arm.

Spies and Hayden have made it to the podium twice at Indianapolis. Spies won the pole in 2010 and took third a year ago. Hayden was runner-up in 2008 and third in 2009.

Speedway officials also confirmed that Hector Faubel escaped serious injury in an earlier crash in the Moto3 division.

Faubel, who complained of chest and back pain, was taken to a local hospital for further examination.