Scott McLaughlin will take over Josef Newgarden’s backup car for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 after his No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet was destroyed in a heavy crash during practice.
On Monday, the Kiwi driver suffered a dramatic accident in the final session before the Fast 12 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The crash caused significant damage to all four corners of the car and even left a gash in the track surface after the vehicle briefly went onto its side.
Fortunately, McLaughlin walked away unharmed, but the extent of the damage meant the car could not be repaired. The incident is a major setback for the Kiwi who had been among the quickest throughout the lead-up to qualifying.
Outside the medical centre, McLaughlin expressed his disappointment.
“I just ran a little light on downforce, and I tried to finish a run. It was coming to the end, and I was just trying to make sure I got ground,” said McLaughlin.
“I should have bailed, and unfortunately, I didn’t, and I’m really sorry to my team. It kills me. It’s a character-building day, I guess you could say.
“I know they are the best crew on the pit lane. I’m sure they’re already pulling things out and working hard to make sure that we’ve got just as fast a car.
“I know that thing is a rocket ship, and I destroyed it. I’m sad for the crew, I’m sad for my sponsors, ultimately we’ll be back out there and giving it our all again.”
He also spoke about the emotional toll of the crash, particularly its impact on his wife, Carly.
“I’m fine. I’m more sad that I saw my wife crying in there and nervous about me, and that brings it all to real life,” he said.
“I wanted to get out of the car straight away, just so she knew I was okay.”
Despite the setback, McLaughlin will still start 10th on the grid for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. Originally, he was due to share the fourth row with his Team Penske stablemates Will Power and Josef Newgarden. However, both Power and Newgarden have been relegated to the back of the grid following a rules violation involving unauthorised modifications to their cars.
The team was found to have altered the rear attenuator — a component that, under IndyCar regulations, must remain unmodified. Specifically, a gap in the attenuator was filled in without approval, a change that could have offered a slight aerodynamic benefit. An attenuator increases the safety of the car by decreasing G-force levels.
As a result, both Power and Newgarden have been penalised, dropping to 32nd and 33rd on the grid, respectively. In addition, Team Penske has been fined $100,000 per car and both cars have forfeited their Indianapolis 500 qualification points. In addition both drivers have been forced to forfeit their pit positions and will select their pit boxes after the remainder of the field has had an opportunity to adjust accordingly.
To add insult to injury, the team strategists for Power and Newgarden were also suspended for the remainder of the Indy 500.
“The integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is paramount, and this violation of the INDYCAR rule against modification to this part and using it ‘as supplied’ is clear,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said.
“The penalty should be more than simply starting where the cars might have qualified anyway, if given the opportunity. The cars belong in the field as two of the fastest 33; however, starting on the tail of the field is the appropriate penalty in this instance.”
Car No. 3 did not make a qualifying run during Sunday’s Top 12 session due to a crash earlier in the day during practice. After the incident, INDYCAR impounded and inspected the car’s rear attenuator.
Following their review, officials confirmed that the component was compliant with regulations and had not been altered. As a result, Car No. 3 retains its position and will start from 10th on the grid — the last spot among those who advanced to the Top 12.
Header Image: Penske Entertainment – Matt Fraver
