Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) has proved to be quite the adversary throughout the last week of on-track activity, as the NTT IndyCar Series prepares for the 109th Indianapolis 500.
In what is now the fifth wreck in the last three days of on-track activity, Scott McLaughlin, the polesitter for last season’s running of the prestigious event, crashed hard around the 2.5-mile oval.
Scott McLaughlin hits the wall hard in #Indy500 practice. pic.twitter.com/N5oPmCuOVI
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 18, 2025
McLaughlin, driving the No. 3 Pennzoil Chevrolet for Team Penske, had just catapulted to the top of the speed charts in Sunday’s practice session from Indy, when his car snapped exiting Turn 2.
The 31-year-old driver would crash into the outside SAFER Barrier quite viciously, only for his car to come off the ground and land hard on the left-rear tire, before nearly rolling in the other direction.
Luckily, McLaughlin was able to emerge from his Pennzoil-sponsored machine, and has since been checked and released from the Indianapolis Medical Center.
McLaughlin joins a long list of talented drivers who have experienced issues throughout the weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including Kyffin Simpson, Kyle Larson, Marcus Armstrong, and Colton Herta.
“That was the end where it was a little loose for sure, just ran a little light on downforce, and I tried to finish the run, it was coming to the end and I was just trying to make sure I got back around,” said McLaughlin. “Should have bailed, and unfortunately, I didn’t, and I’m really sorry to my team, kills me, but you know it’s a character-building day, I guess you could say.”
McLaughlin was one of a dozen drivers to qualify for the Fast 12 on Sunday, but, as a result of this wreck, will likely not be able to make a qualifying run and fight for a second straight pole in the Indianapolis 500.
