TALLADEGA, Ala. — Dario Franchitti injured his ankle in a hard crash today at Talladega Superspeedway that sent Franchitti and another racer to a hospital for observation.

Team owner Chip Ganassi said Franchitti was awaiting X-rays on his ankle.

Franchitti, who came to NASCAR this season as the reigning Indy Car Series champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, wrecked when his car apparently lost its right rear tire on the 10th lap of the Nationwide Series race.

His Dodge bounced into the wall and spun down the track, finally drifting down to the apron. It was there that the real damage was done — a car driven by Larry Gunselman slammed into his driver side door.

Franchitti had to be helped from his car and toward an ambulance. About 90 minutes after the accident, Gunselman also was taken to the hospital for observation.