INDIANAPOLIS — Vitor Meira was released from the hospital on Wednesday, three days after breaking two bones in his back in a crash during the Indianapolis 500.

"I feel pretty good," said Meira, who plans to see doctors Thursday to make sure it's all right for him to return to his home in Miami this weekend. "Then I will get an X-ray down there in two weeks to make sure the spine is healing the way it should."

Wearing a back brace, the Brazilian driver left Methodist Hospital in a wheelchair but stood to talk with reporters. He then returned to his garage at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to talk to crew members and pack some belongings.

He said he does not expect his injury will require surgery.

"It's going to be very hard for me to do nothing for the next two weeks," he said. "The doctors said after that, I can do a light workout, but nothing that would load the spine. So I can work on my chest and arms and ride a stationary bike. I can't ride a regular bike because they don't want me to risk falling."

Meira has seen television replays of his collision with rookie Raphael Matos and called the impact "a big one." Matos bruised his right knee and was released from the infield hospital shortly after the crash.

Meira said doctors believe his recovery will be faster at home rather than in Indianapolis while living in a hotel. He said he hopes to return for the final race of the season Oct. 10 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, his adopted home track.

A.J. Foyt Racing has hired veteran Paul Tracy to drive in his place this week at Milwaukee.