Alexander Rossi Crashes in Three-Car Turn 2 Indy 500 Practice
alexander rossi was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation after a three-car crash in Turn 2 during Indianapolis 500 practice on Monday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Pato O’Ward and Romain Grosjean were also involved in the incident, which hit early in a session cut to one hour, 18 minutes by rain and lightning.
At 1:28 p.m. ET, Rossi spun in Turn 2 in the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet of Ed Carpenter Racing, made hard contact with the SAFER Barrier and was then struck by O’Ward. Grosjean spun into the barrier while trying to avoid the crash in the No. 18 Bmax.IO Honda of Dale Coyne Racing.
Turn 2 Collision
The incident came 28 minutes into the session and stopped practice while the track was already working around weather delays. Both Rossi's car and O’Ward's car suffered heavy damage. O’Ward described the sequence bluntly afterward: "I’m OK; I just feel bad for my car" and "Just wrong place, wrong time."
He added, "I just got collected there," and "I obviously hit the brakes and couldn’t do much to avoid it." O’Ward also said, "I’m glad Alex is all right, Romain, as well." Grosjean and O’Ward were released without injury.
Newgarden Sets the Pace
Josef Newgarden led the rain-shortened practice at 226.198 mph in the No. 2 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet. Takuma Sato was second at 225.723 mph, Dennis Hauger third at 224.554 mph, Ryan Hunter-Reay fourth at 224.415 mph and Marcus Ericsson fifth at 224.376 mph.
All 33 drivers combined for 1,053 laps, but the track was open for action for only 35 minutes because of track inspection, the three-car incident and the weather interruptions. That left limited time for teams to gather data before the final practice session and Race Day.
Rossi Faces More Evaluation
Rossi, who had qualified second on Sunday, left the session after the hospital transfer with the biggest question centered on his condition and the damage to his car. Miller Lite Carb Day is scheduled for Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, and the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 24 at 10 a.m. ET.
