Horror crash halts the Indy 500 with car flipped upside down

Horror crash halts the Indy 500 as driver flips upside down after  crashing into barrier and sending a tire careening into a car in the parking lot

  • Kyle Kirkwood was caught up after Felix Rosenqvist ran into the wall at Indy 
  • One of Kirkwood’s tires flew over the catch fence, and over the heads of fans 
  • DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news 

A horrifying crash on Lap 185 of Sunday’s 107th Indianapolis 500 halted the race 15 laps short of the finish. 

The incident began when Arrow McLaren’s Felix Rosenqvist lost control and hit a wall skidding across the track in front of Kyle Kirkwood’s Andretti Autosport Honda. 

Kirkwood was unable to move his car out of the way in time as he battled with A.J. Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferruci.

As he drove by, Kirkwood’s back left tire clipped the front of Rosenqvist’s car, sending that tire flying over the catch fence.  

Kirkwood’s car was spun out of control and into the barrier, flipping him upside down with sparks flying as the car skidded for some distance. On-board camera showed Kirkwood opening his visor as his helmet was just inches from the asphalt.  

A horrifying crash on Lap 185 of Sunday’s 107th Indianapolis 500 halted the race

Felix Rosenqvist of Arrow McLaren hit the wall with his No. 6 Chevrolet machine

Rosenqvist spun and hit Kyle Kirkwood (above) sending him spinning and his left rear tire flying over the catch fence and hurtling towards fans – only just missing the crowd

The tire flew over fans & smashed on the hood of a parked Chevy Malibu – not injuring anyone

Fortunately, no one was injured and both drivers were able to be removed from their vehicles. 

But the tire did end up flying over the fans and through a gap – smashing onto the front of a Chevy Malibu with one bystander capturing the aftermath on video.

After his day ended prematurely, Kirkwood spoke to NBC Sports about the wreck, saying, ‘I’m just glad I’m so safe, man. Our AutoNation Honda was so good today and we thought we were gonna win it. We were just driving through cars there on that second to last stint. 

‘So, glad I’m okay glad the car was super fast but disappointed in that finish, no doubt.’

‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ had witnessed another crash earlier in the race. 

Race favorite Alex Palou started from the pole and led 36 of the first 100 laps. The Spaniard easily had one of the best cars in the race, but he was crashed into by Rinus VeeKay when the cars were trying to exit pit road.

Palou’s Chip Ganassi Racing team had to run to push his car back to the stall and he needed a new front wing. Palou dropped to 26th at the halfway point and VeeKay received a penalty for avoidable contact.

Earlier, Alex Palou was crashed into by Rinus VeeKay when the cars were trying to exit pit road

The crash on Lap 95 occurred during full-field pit stops under the first caution, caused three laps earlier by rookie Sting Ray Robb, who had a rough month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

He crashed along with his Dale Coyne Racing teammate on the opening lap of the road course race at Indy and then struggled to even make the field of 33 for the 500.

Robb was livid with Graham Rahal after the crash for what Robb said was ‘way too aggressive’ driving.

‘Just got caught up racing someone I thought didn’t stand up to the stereotype, but I guess it’s there,’ said Robb, who refused to mention Rahal by name. ‘I’ve had too many learning experiences this year. I’m tired of them. Not much else to say. Really upset and just want to move on.’

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