A horrific crash at the 107th Indy 500 on Sunday halted the race with 15 laps to go and sent a tire flying dangerously over fans’ heads.
The incident began on lap 185 when Arrow McLaren’s Felix Rosenqvist lost control, crashed into a wall and skidded across the track in front of Kyle Kirkwood’s Andretti Autosport Honda.
Kirkwood was unable to get his car out of the way in time as he battled with AJ Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferruci.
As he passed, Kirkwood’s rear left tire clipped the front of Rosenqvist’s car, sending the tire flying over the safety fence.
Kirkwood’s car went out of control and crashed into the guardrail, causing him to fall on his head and sparks flying while the car spun slightly. The onboard camera showed Kirkwood opening his visor when his helmet was inches from the tarmac.
A horrific accident on lap 185 of the 107th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday halted the race
Arrow McLaren’s Felix Rosenqvist crashed his #6 Chevrolet machine into the wall
Rosenqvist spun and hit Kyle Kirkwood (above), causing him to spin and his left rear tire to fly over the safety fence and into the fans – narrowly missing the crowd
Kirkwood’s left rear tire is seen flying over the safety fence, narrowly missing the fans
The tire flew over fans and hit the hood of a parked Chevy Malibu — no one was hurt
Harrowing moment at the Indy 500 when a tire is thrown off Kyle Kirkwood’s car after colliding with Felix Rosenqvist. pic.twitter.com/R5qdlzpZ76
– Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 28, 2023
Fortunately, no one was injured and both drivers were extricated from their vehicles.
However, the tire ended up flying over the fans and through a gap, crashing into the front of a Chevy Malibu along with a passerby Capture the episodes on video.
After his day ended prematurely, Kirkwood spoke to NBC Sports over the wreck and said, “I’m just glad I’m safe like that, man.” Our AutoNation Honda was so good today and we thought we were going to win it. In the penultimate stint we just drove between cars there.
“So I’m glad I’m doing well, I’m glad the car was super quick, but I’m undoubtedly disappointed with this result.”
“The greatest spectacle in racing” had experienced another accident at the beginning of the race.
Race favorite Alex Palou started from pole and led 36 of the first 100 laps. The Spaniard easily had one of the best cars in the race but was hit by Rinus VeeKay as the cars tried to leave the pit lane.
Palou’s team Chip Ganassi Racing had to race to get his car back in the stable and he needed a new front wing. At halftime, Palou dropped to 26th and VeeKay received a penalty for avoidable contact.
Earlier, Alex Palou was hit by Rinus VeeKay as the cars tried to leave the pit lane
It was a dramatic Indy 500 race – Pato O’Ward is pictured crashing into the wall at the third turn
Agustin Canapino of Argentina (left) runs over the back of O’Ward’s car at the Indy 500
The lap 95 accident occurred during pit stops during the first caution, inflicted three laps earlier by rookie Sting Ray Robb who was having a rough month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
He crashed alongside his Dale Coyne Racing teammate on the first lap of the Indy road race and then struggled to even get into the 33-strong field in the 500m race.
Robb was angry with Graham Rahal after the accident for what Robb described as driving “way too aggressively”.
“I just got caught competing against someone I didn’t think would live up to the cliché, but I think it’s there,” said Robb, who declined to name Rahal. “I’ve had too many learning experiences this year. I’m sick of her There is nothing more to say. I’m really upset and just want to move on.’
When the race restarted on Sunday, it was eventually won by Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden, who edged out Marcus Ericsson in a thrilling finish.
Three red flags late in the race resulted in a two-lap shootout with Ericsson leading the restart before Newgarden, who moved up from fourth to second due to race control, sped past him and owner Roger Penske earned his 19th Indy 500 win, but his first since his purchase of the IndyCar Series in 2019.
The American Josef Newgarden (left) finally won a dramatic race and spoke of his joy
The Indy 500 was the only win missing from the 32-year-old’s impressive racing record
Newgarden crosses the checkered flag in front of Marcus Ericsson (right) on Sunday afternoon.
“I’m so grateful to have started out as a fan in the audience, it’s amazing.” “I love this city,” Newgarden said.
“I was emotional for the last ten laps, I knew I was capable of fighting.” I’m just grateful to the team, everyone, that we finally did it.
“I tried to delay it. It won’t define your career to win the race here, but everyone seems to want to make it a defining moment, so it’s impossible for me not to see it that way.”
He’s considered the best driver not to win the Indy 500, and it was the only win missing from the 32-year-old American’s resume. A two-time IndyCar Series champion in 2017 and 2019, Newgarden showed patience in a race packed with drama.