IndyCar driver Colton Herta encounters harrowing accident during qualifying round for Indy 500: "Disheartening day"
Headline:Crash at Indy 500 Qualifiers: Colton Herta's Terrifying Ride and Recovery
Subhead:'Terrible day for this to happen,' says the Andretti Global driver
Deadspin, the place for the unfiltered sports experience, is here with the lowdown on Colton Herta's harrowing crash during the Indy 500 qualifiers.
The Wreck
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Colton Herta, the high-flying IndyCar Series driver, found himself in the middle of a terrifying crash at the Indianapolis 500 qualifying. Approaching Turns 1 and 2 at a blistering 236 mph, Herta's No. 26 car lost control suddenly. Skidding along the track, his vehicle veered backwards into the wall on the backstretch, flipping over and going airborne.
As the car continued its wild ride down the backstretch and into Turns 3 and 4, hitting the wall again before coming to a stop, spectators and fellow racers held their breath, fearing the worst. But, against all odds, Herta walked away from the frightening wreck.
"I'm fine... these crashes look scarier than they feel," Herta told FOX Sports after leaving the emergency care center.
The Aftermath
Despite hismiraculous escape, Herta's team would have to switch to a backup car as the wreckage was beyond repair. The team faced an uphill battle to get the backup car ready in time, with qualifying's time running out.
"Terrible day for this to happen... it sucks, but I'm good. We'll keep going," Herta said.
As of Saturday, Herta was a 16-1 shot to win the Indy 500. Known for his dominance in the IndyCar Series, Herta has nine wins under his belt, with his most recent victory coming at Nashville to end the 2024 season.
The Road Ahead
Just days away from the Indy 500, Herta will have to regroup and refocus. The racer will enter the Indy 500 ninth in the points standings, looking to improve on his seventh-place finish last season.
The Indy 500 is set to air May 25 on FOX, with pre-coverage starting at 10 a.m. ET. Fans can also stream the race live on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app.
Stay tuned to Deadspin for ongoing coverage of the Indy 500 and sports news that's raw, edgy, and always uncensored.
- Colton Herta's crash during the Indy 500 qualifiers was not just a race incident; it was an auto-racing accident that sent shockwaves throughout the sports community.
- After his terrifying crash at the Indy 500 qualifiers, Colton Herta is still determined to compete, vowing to bounce back from this setback and make a strong showing in the upcoming race, proving that he's a force to be reckoned with in the sports of auto-racing and sports in general.
