Alex Tagliani will replace three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti in the October 19 season-ending IndyCar race at Fontana.

Franchitti remains hospitalised with two fractured vertebrae, a broken ankle and a concussion suffered in a last-lap accident on Sunday at the Grand Prix of Houston.

Tagliani will drive the No.10 Honda for Target Chip Ganassi Racing at Auto Club Speedway in California alongside IndyCar championship leader Scott Dixon.

The team will be trying to help the New Zealander win a third series championship. Dixon takes a 25-point lead over Helio Castroneves into the finale.

Tagliani ran the first 13 races this season for Bryan Herta Autosport. In four previous starts at Fontana, he has one pole, three top-10s and a career-best third-place finish.