Ryan Briscoe will get the chance to defend his Sonoma Grand Prix race title after being given the all-clear to return for this weekend’s IndyCar event.

Briscoe has been sidelined since fracturing his wrist on July 13 during a race in Toronto but will line-up at the Californian track where he won last year.

The Australian took part in a test at Sonoma on August 13 and says his wrist, which was in a carbon brace, held up well enough for him to be allowed to return to racing.

“We made good progress during the test and worked through our program really well,” Briscoe said, adding the brace had been a “nuisance” at times.

“I was pleased with our pace and definitely looking forward to coming back to find more speed.”

Briscoe will be keen to take part in the Sonoma event having finished in the top five in each of the past five visits to the track.

Another man who is looking forward to this weekend’s race is compatriot Will Power, who has won the past three pole positions at Sonoma.

The three-time championship runner-up is back in 11th in the standings ahead of this weekend’s race and hasn’t won an event this year.

Power said he was looking forward to bringing some light to his year at one of his favourite venues.

“The next two, for sure, are good tracks for me,” he said.

“Sonoma is definitely a good chance for us. But … there have been nine different winners this year.

“It’s really hard to predict how fast you’re going to be and you know, who is going to be in the front and who you’re going to be challenging.”