A bad Month of May just got much worse for Alex Tagliani.
Tagliani, 42, was involved in a shunt off of Turn 4 during the final day of qualifying for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, hitting the attenuator at pit entrance and spinning multiple times before stalling on the frontstretch.
The Canadian was no worse for wear after the incident, and was quickly checked and released from the infield care center.
His No. 35 Alfe Heat Treating Special Honda for A.J. Foyt Enterprises, however, was less fortunate. The machine sustained heavy damage in the incident, and will require extensive repairs from Tagliani’s A.J. Foyt Racing team.
The accident means that the 2011 Indy 500 pole sitter will start 33rd in the May 29 Indy 500.
May has proven to be a frustrating month for Foyt, and Tagliani in particular. Tagliani was the second slowest driver to complete a four-lap effort during Saturday’s time trials, with an average speed of 224.507mph.
Jack Hawksworth and Takuma Sato haven’t faired much better. All three teams have required significant changes and struggled to find speed. Sato led the organization with a 17th-place run on Saturday.
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.