Scott McLaughlin’s day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ended in violent fashion on Saturday after a high-speed crash sent his No.3 Pennzoil Chevrolet airborne in practice. The impact was so severe it left a visible gouge in the asphalt at Turn Two, putting him out of contention for Sunday’s top-12 qualifying and possibly the race itself.
Team Penske’s Path to the Borg-Warner Trophy Still in the Clear
McLaughlin was one of the favorites heading into qualifying, topping the time sheets before disaster struck. His exit still leaves room for Team Penske’s remaining entries to capitalize on a thinner field. Josef Newgarden; now a two-time Indy 500 winner; has emerged as the team’s spearhead after overtaking Pato O’Ward in a last-lap classic last year. Teammate Will Power, the 2018 winner, is also in the mix.
With McLaughlin likely out, oddsmakers have slashed Newgarden’s line to +500, while Power sits at +900 at various oddsmakers. According to gambling expert James Briscoe, these oddsmakers are well-liked by fans and bettors for being known as secure BTC sportsbook platforms. One of the reasons for these sites’ popularity is their generous bonuses and quick payouts. Even with McLaughlin sidelined, Penske’s lineup remains the strongest in the paddock, which makes him a solid bet for those using these sportsbooks.
A third win for Newgarden would further cement his legacy, and deliver Team Penske its record-extending 20th Indy 500 title. Newgarden’s pace has been steady all month, and his racecraft on the IMS oval is second to none. With Power’s experience and clean qualifying record, Team Penske enters race week with two legitimate bullets in the chamber.
McLaughlin’s crash, while devastating for his campaign, simplifies Penske’s internal strategy. The team can now focus resources on fine-tuning race-day setups for Newgarden and Power without managing a three-car qualifying strategy. With other top names battling car rebuilds or facing last-chance qualifying, the Penske duo has a clearer path than most.
A Brutal Saturday Leaves Multiple Cars in Pieces
McLaughlin’s crash wasn’t the only shock of the day. Marcus Armstrong lost control during an earlier practice session and now faces a high-pressure last-chance qualifier to make the 33-car grid. The Chip Ganassi Racing rookie clipped the wall exiting Turn 2, and though the impact was lighter than McLaughlin’s, the car was heavily damaged. He’ll need a clean run and a bit of luck to secure his place in next Sunday’s field.
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Colton Herta’s incident was even more dramatic. On his first timed lap, the Andretti Global driver slammed into the barrier and flipped upside down after skimming the top of the wall. His car tumbled violently before landing inverted on the track. It was one of the most jarring crashes at the Speedway in recent memory. Remarkably, his crew managed to rebuild the machine in time for a late qualifying run, and Herta clawed into the field just before the buzzer. He’ll start deep in the pack, but simply making the race was a feat in itself.
All three drivers walked away, a testament to IndyCar’s commendable safety systems. Yet Saturday’s carnage underscored how thin the line is between a front-row start and missing the show entirely. The sheer force of McLaughlin’s impact cracked part of the SAFER barrier and tore into the surface, leaving behind a crater that forced track officials to pause the session for urgent repairs. Several drivers expressed concern over grip levels at the exit of Turn 2, an area that’s historically been a problem spot under changing wind conditions.
The timing of the crash couldn’t have been worse for McLaughlin, who was in peak form leading up to qualifying. He had logged the fastest lap in final practice before his spin, and his telemetry didn’t show any critical mistakes. After going airborne and slamming down onto the asphalt with the sidepod, the No.3 ‘Yellow Submarine’ Chevy was too damaged to continue.
