SPEEDWAY, Ind. — A massive crash for Scott McLaughlin brought Sunday (May 18) morning’s practice session to a halt after the surface of Indianapolis Motor Speedway sustained damage in the New Zealander’s accident.
Likewise, the damage to McLaughlin’s car was enough to rule last year’s Indianapolis 500 polesitter out of the rest of qualifying, despite his being seen and quickly released by the infield care center. He will start 12th in the 500 next Sunday.
“I just ran a little light on downforce and I tried to finish the run,” McLaughlin said after the accident.
“It was coming to the end, and I was trying to make sure I got around. I should’ve bailed, and unfortunately, I didn’t. But it’s a character-building day, I guess you could say.”
McLaughlin, who qualified second-fastest on Saturday to secure himself a spot in Sunday’s shootout for pole position, had just posted the fastest lap of the practice session when his No. 3 Chevrolet broke loose in turn 2 and smacked the outside wall. The car lifted into the air on impact and crashed heavily back to the track surface before it could completely capsize.
“I know they’re the best crew on the pit lane,” McLaughlin said of his team’s rush to salvage the car. “I’m sure they’re already pulling things out and working hard to make sure that we’ve got just as fast a car. But that thing was a rocket ship, and I destroyed it.
“I’m sad. I’m sad for the crew. I’m sad for my sponsors. But, ultimately, we’ll be back out there, giving it our all again.”
The force was such that McLaughlin’s left-rear wheel, which was tethered to the car by military-grade Kevlar, was completely severed from the car. Further, the impact of the right-rear wheel on the track surface took a sizeable chunk of asphalt from the IMS track surface, requiring the session to be stopped so the track could be repaired.
“I feel fine,” McLaughlin said after leaving the care center. “I’m more sad that I saw my wife crying and nervous about me. That brings it all to real life. I got out of the car straight away just so she knew I was okay.”
The crash was the latest in a string of heavy impacts throughout this week’s practice. Kyffin Simpson went airborne after spinning at the exit of turn 4 during Friday’s practice and Colton Herta flipped in turn 1 during his first qualifying attempt on Saturday.
When asked about the frequency of similar crashes at the Speedway this year, McLaughlin was unsure of what the cause may be.
“I don’t know — it’s the first time I’ve done it here,” he said. “I was just praying I didn’t go in the catchfence. Very blessed that didn’t happen. We’ve seen a couple of cars here go in the air. Maybe the heavier car, it’s a little different, I’m not sure.
“I know that the safety standards here are the best in the world, and for me to walk out and basically get out seconds after a crash like that, it’s pretty impressive. So, just count my lucky stars, I’m OK.”
Efforts to fill in the gouge of asphalt left by McLaughlin’s car were underway immediately and practice resumed with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Alex is the IndyCar Content Director at Frontstretch, having initially joined as an entry-level contributor in 2021. He also serves as Managing Director of The Asia Cable, a publication focused on the international affairs and politics of the Asia-Pacific region which he co-founded in 2023. With previous experience in China, Japan and Poland, Alex is particularly passionate about the international realm of motorsport and the politics that make the wheels turn - literally - behind the scenes.