On Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Marcus Armstrong was the latest driver from the paddock of the NTT IndyCar Series to run into issues during Indianapolis 500 practice, and it happened mere hours before the start of qualifying.
The 24-year-old driver, who is currently in the midst of his first season competing for Meyer Shank Racing in the No. 66 Honda-supported entry, was on a qualifying simulation on Saturday, when his Spectrum-sponsored machine snapped in the middle of Turn 3.
Armstrong had his vehicle loop around quickly after the bobble, eventually making a significant impact with the outside wall at the exit of Turn 3. After coming off the wall post-impact, the No. 66 then continued to slide, where it impacted the wall for a second time in Turn 4.
Another look at Marcus Armstrong’s #Indy500 practice crash Saturday morning. pic.twitter.com/30pQjZQRj0
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 17, 2025
The former competitor in Formula 2 is the third driver to run into issues during Indianapolis 500 practice this week, a rapidly growing list that includes his old Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Kyffin Simpson, and 2021 NAASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson.
However, this particular incident, which looks reminiscent to the accident that Takuma Sato had during the Open Test in April, required a little bit more attention to the driver than that of Larson and Simpson.
The New Zealander had to be helped from his MSR Honda and was eventually loaded into the ambulance on a stretcher, where he would be brought to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Medical Center, and evaluated by the infield care center doctors.
Dr. Julia Vaizer of the IMS Medical Team, later provided an update to FOX Sports on the condition of Armstrong, saying that he is “awake, alert, and he is doing well,” but that the safety team would keep him for further evaluation to make sure nothing is missed.
Armstrong later exited the infield care center under his own power, but has not yet been cleared to return to action at Indianapolis Motor Speedway — where he is scheduled to be the ninth driver to roll in Saturday’s qualifying session.
Meanwhile, Meyer Shank Racing was forced to unload one of the team’s road and street course vehicles to use as their new Indianapolis 500 piece.
