For Verizon IndyCar Series veterans Tony Kanaan and Sébastien Bourdais, the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis was over as quickly as it began.
Kanaan and Bourdais were involved in a shunt going into Turn 1 on the opening lap of the road course race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, heavily damaging both cars and requiring both teams to head to the garage area for repairs.
The incident appeared to be facilitated by Scott Dixon. The 2015 champion moved up the track just before arcing into Turn 1, cutting off his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Kanaan and ultimately pushing him into Bourdais.
Race start incident. #GPofIndy #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/kmbeGHEkMc
— Matt Archuleta (@indy44) May 14, 2016
Dixon himself was subject to a wreck in the opening turn of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis just last season. In that one, contact with Helio Castroneves caused him to spin into the grass; Dixon didn’t go behind the wall for that one but saw a front row starting spot devolve into a 10th-place finish.
The move was reviewed by the INDYCAR stewards and no penalties were given. Dixon has continued on in the race.
Aaron Bearden is a Frontstretch alumnus who’s come back home as the site’s Short Track Editor. When he isn’t working with our grassroots writers, he can be found talking about racing on his Morning Warmup newsletter, pestering his wife/dog or convincing himself the Indiana Pacers can win an NBA title.