Former Formula 1 driver Max Chilton became the first Chevrolet to test INDYCAR’s safety improvements in a vicious crash during Saturday’s lone practice session.
The British rookie was running during a rain-delayed practice sessions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when he lost control of his machine going through Turn 2. Chilton’s No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara-Chevrolet then spun around 270 degrees before slamming nose-first violently into the outside wall.
Chilton got out of his machine under his own power and waved to the fans before heading to the IMS infield care center, where he was cleared to drive.
The crash came in the first group of the lone Saturday practice, which was delayed by more than three hours due to early rain at the 2.5-mile oval. Chilton had completed a 228.359mph lap on his previous circuit, good for 11th on the speed charts.
Chilton’s crash was the second of the week, joining fellow rookie Spencer Pigot, who crashes his Honda during one of the week’s practice sessions.
Chilton will return to the grid for time trials at 2:15 p.m. ET, where he will attempt to be one of the nine cars advancing to Sunday’s pole shootout.
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.