INDIANAPOLIS — Scott McLaughlin crashed during the warm-up laps for the Indianapolis 500 and immediately burst into tears.
The Team Penske driver slammed into the wall as he was swerving to warm his tires before Sunday’s green flag.
The New Zealander, who was slated to start 10th, buried his head in his hands while crouched on the infield grass. McLaughlin was Penske’s highest-starting driver after two-time defending race winner Josef Newgarden and Will Power were penalized and dropped to the back of the field for failing inspection.
It was reminiscent of the 1992 Indianapolis 500, when pole-sitter Roberto Guerrero spun out and crashed while also trying to warm up his tires during the parade laps.
“I really have no idea what happened,” a heartbroken McLaughlin said. “I can’t believe we’re out of the race. I had so much hope. It’s the worst moment of my life.”
At the same time that McLaughlin was being tended to, smoke and flames began shooting out from under Scott Dixon’s car. It was not clear what the issue was for the Chip Ganassi Racing driver, who is the 2008 race winner.
When the race went green, Marco Andretti made contact with first Jack Harvey, which caused him to spin, before Marcus Armstrong hit Andretti on the first lap. His father and grandfather, Michael Andretti and Mario Andretti, just shook their heads in disbelief.
It made for back-to-back DNF’s for Andretti in the the race.
Source: espn.com