The Indianapolis 500 will run on Sunday, May 25. Unlike NASCAR which does all of its events in the same weekend for an event, the Indy 500 spans over a week.
Practice and qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 were held on Sunday, May 18. This gives drivers a week to know where they stand in the starting grid, and a week to analyze what they registered from qualifying and practice. These results can help them take certain turns at different angles on race day, and when they feel comfortable accelerating out of turns in the race track.
Scott McLaughlin is thankful that it was just practice. He finished in the top 12 for qualifying on Saturday, which meant he had the chance to participate in Fast 12 qualifying on Sunday to earn pole position for this year's race. McLaughlin was the pole winner in 2024, so he figured he had a good chance.
Then, in practice for Fast 12 qualifying, he took Turn 2 way too hard and went into the wall.
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Here is more on McLaughlin's crash and what it means for his status for next week's Indy 500.
MORE: Live results, updated starting grid for Indy 500 from qualifiers
Scott McLaughlin crash at Indy 500 qualifying practice
McLaughlin went into the wall, and the car lifted off the ground. Lucky for him, it didn't turn in the air and instead landed on its side before bouncing and skidding down the track.
Scott McLaughlin hits the wall hard in #Indy500 practice. pic.twitter.com/N5oPmCuOVI
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 18, 2025
McLaughlin was okay and got the all-clear from the medical staff after exiting the car.
About the wreck, he said, "I’m OK, I’m just really, really, really, really, really sorry for everyone at Team Penske. It was talking to me and I sort of felt it, and I probably should have backed out, but you’re trying to complete a run to see what it feels like and was it worth the risk? Probably wasn’t. I’m incredibly sad.”
MORE: Latest updates on whether Kyle Larson qualified for the Indy 500
Will Scott McLaughlin race in Indy 500?
Yes. McLaughlin is still eligible to run in the Indy 500, but it won't be in the car that he drove in Fast 12 qualifying.
Team Penske said they aren't going to try an official qualifying run, and with the wreck in practice, will take 12th in the starting lineup next week. McLaughlin will drive a backup speedway car that was initially intended to be used in a pit crew competition next weekend.
Of the car, McLaughlin said, "They can build a new car for me, but I’m just really gutted more than anything. It’s hard to take, like you wish it was for something, but it was for nothing, right? In practice.”