Practice Crash Parks Speedy Scott McLaughlin for Top 12 Qualifying
INDYCAR
It appears the Top 12 Qualifying session will be reduced to 11 drivers this afternoon during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge after Scott McLaughlin had a massive crash during pre-qualifying practice.
McLaughlin was unhurt in the violent accident, which took place 16 minutes into the one-hour session reserved for the 12 drivers who will vie for the NTT P1 Award for 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.'
SEE: Practice Results | Qualifying Format
2024 Indy 500 pole sitter McLaughlin had just turned the fastest lap of the session, 223.553 mph, when his No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet spun in Turn 2 and made hard contact with the SAFER Barrier. The car got airborne and landed on its left side, bouncing onto its wheels and sliding to rest on the apron at the exit of the corner with heavy damage.
FOX Sports' broadcast team reported Team Penske General Manager Kyle Moyer indicated McLaughlin will not participate in Fast 12 Qualifying today, focusing instead on being ready for the practice session at 1 p.m. ET Monday.
'I'm really, really, really, really sorry to everyone at Team Penske, my guys on the 3 car, everyone who builds these fantastic cars,' McLaughlin said. 'It (car) 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.
'Very grateful to INDYCAR, the safety and my team, the SAFER Barriers and all that. Kept me safe. We had a great car, and I just destroyed it.'
Top 12 Qualifying starts 4:05 p.m. ET, which will whittle the field to the Firestone Fast Six that will compete for the NTT P1 Award at 6:25 p.m.
In between those sessions, Rinus VeeKay and Jacob Abel of Dale Coyne Racing, Marcus Armstrong of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian and 2020 '500' pole sitter Marco Andretti of Andretti Herta w/Marco & Curb-Agajanian will compete for the three final spots in the 33-car starting field in Last Chance Qualifying from 5:15-6:15 p.m.
FOX, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network will cover all three qualifying sessions live.
Five-time '500' pole winner Scott Dixon was second fastest in the practice on the 2.5-mile oval at 233.240 in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Dixon will tie fellow legend Rick Mears with a sixth '500' pole if he secures the top spot today.
Pato O'Ward was third at 232.792 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.
Ten of the 12 drivers who qualified for the Top 12 Qualifying session turned laps today under sunny skies, with air temperatures in the low 70s and northwest winds at 7 mph, gusting to 13 mph. Electing to stay in Gasoline Alley and wait for qualifying were 2022 '500' winner Marcus Ericsson in the No. 28 Allegra Honda of Andretti Global and rookie Robert Shwartzman in the No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet.
Among the Last Chance Qualifying participants, Andretti was fastest at 229.781 in the No. 98 MAPEI/Curb Honda. Armstrong was right behind at 229.776 in the No. 66 SiriusXM/Root Insurance Honda.
Rinus VeeKay was third at 228.988 in the No. 18 askROI Honda, while rookie teammate Jacob Abel's anxiety will rise after he was the slowest of the quartet aiming for three spots, 227.970 in the No. 51 Miller High Life Honda.
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