Indianapolis 500: Alexander Rossi and Pato O'Ward involved in huge practice crash

May 19, 2026 - 01:14

A routine practice session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway turned into a terrifying moment on Wednesday when Alexander Rossi and Pato O'Ward collided in a high-speed crash. The incident occurred in Turn 2, where Rossi's car suddenly snapped loose, sending him spinning across the track. As his vehicle slid backward, it nearly flipped over, lifting off the ground before slamming back down onto the asphalt.

O'Ward, who was running a fast lap behind Rossi, had nowhere to go. He plowed into the side of Rossi's spinning car, launching debris across the track. Both drivers emerged from their wrecked machines under their own power, but the damage was extensive. Rossi's car was left with its rear wing torn off and the suspension mangled, while O'Ward's front end was crumpled.

The crash brought out a red flag, halting practice for nearly an hour while crews cleaned up the track. Neither driver was seriously injured, but the incident raises questions about the handling of the cars in the tricky Indianapolis corners. Rossi, a former winner of the 500, later told reporters that the car "just went away" without warning. O'Ward called it a "racing deal" but admitted it was a close call. Both teams now face a race against time to repair their cars before qualifying.