Andretti Autosport’s top two chances at winning the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 were both erased in a flash courtesy an unfortunate pit road incident.
Following a caution for the crashed Mikhail Aleshin and Conor Daly, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Townsend Bell were among the many teams that headed to pit road for a routine round of stops. Both drivers entered running inside the top three, looking to take the lead with quick pit work.
In the race out of the pits, Bell’s car was released as Helio Castroneves passed above him. The two made contact, sending Bell spinning toward the infield wall.
Bell’s trip toward the pits put him in the path of Hunter-Reay. The two collided, with both drivers coming to rest on pit wall.
Thankfully, no crewmen were injured during the incident. One member of James Hinchcliffe’s team was forced to take evasive maneuvers, but did so successfully, and a rogue tire hit by Bell bounced off the pit wall without issue.
The two Andretti teammates returned to the track after stopping for repairs, but both drivers were left one or more laps down.
Andretti’s hopes for an Indy 500 victory now rest on Marco Andretti and Alexander Rossi.
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.