After starting from pole position and leading the Indy 500 in the early laps, New Zealander Scott Dixon has been taken out in a frightening crash that saw his car rip almost in half after flipping through the air. He was able to climb out of the car un-aided by marshals, and was then released by local paramedics.
“[I'm] just a little beaten up, it was definitely a rough ride. I'm just so bummed for the team man, I think we had a great shot,” Dixon said after the incident.
While circulating in seventh place after the first wave of pit stops, Dixon was taken out by English driver Jay Howard. Howard had crashed by himself into the wall between turn one and turn two, before sliding down the circuit directly into Dixon's path.
Dixon then struck Howard's car and flew into the air and into the infield safety fence backwards. The safety fence impact ripped the rear end (including the engine) from Dixon's car. After further rotations along the ground, Dixon's car came to a rest off the racing line in the largest crash of the Ganassi driver's career. Arguably as lucky as Dixon was Helio Castroneves, who escaped by driving underneath Dixon's flying Honda.
“We got a little loose in the first stint there, but we were starting to make some progress. We were a little light for downforce, but I think for later in the race that would've been the right move to have.
“I'm just bummed for them, glad everyone's OK, it was definitely a wild ride. A big thanks to Dallara too, for the safety standards we have now.
“It's tough, I think when you make those decisions, you don't know which way to go. I was hoping Jay would stay against the wall, but with the impact he decided to turn down. But I'd already picked that way to go and there was nowhere else to go. I'm glad he's OK too.
“It's just a wild ride, you just hold on, and believe in the safety and progress we've had.”
The impact with the inside fencing ripped a hole in the inside catch fencing, right above where a very lucky photographer had been standing. Like Dixon, he too emerged without injury but was still surveyed by medics.
Former Formula 1 World Champion Fernando currently holds the race lead.