McLaughlin Suffers Massive Shunt in Fast 12 Practice Ahead of Pole Fight

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief

Scott McLaughlin will not repeat as pole-sitter for the Indianapolis 500 after enduring a massive crash during practice ahead of this afternoon’s Fast 12 qualifying.

Moments after setting the fastest pace in the session with a lap at 233.553mph, the 31-year-old New Zealand native was pushing through Turn 2 when his No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet snapped loose. The car whipped around and made left-front contact with the outside wall before the left-rear followed through similarly. From there, the rear of the car lifted and sent McLaughlin airborne and landed on the left side before rolling back upright, with the left-rear tire ripping from the chassis. McLaughlin’s wrecked challenger slid down the track and stopped on the backstretch.

McLaughlin was able to get out of the car under his own power before being taken to the Infield Care Center. He logged five laps prior to the incident. Team Penske General Manager Kyle Moyer told INDYCAR Radio the team would not be ready for the Fast 12 qualifying bout this afternoon, leaving McLaughlin to start 12th for next Sunday’s 500-mile contest.

Scott McLaughlin hits the wall hard in #Indy500 practice. pic.twitter.com/N5oPmCuOVI

— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 18, 2025

“I just got a little bit loose across the run,” McLaughlin told INDYCAR Radio.. “I should have made a change, but or at least stopped. But, this place bites when you think you’re on top of it. I’m bummed for everyone on the team. They deserve more than that.

“The Pennzoil Yellow Submarine will fight again. I’m just grateful for IndyCar’s safety that I’m okay. My wife, she’s crying and felt bad. I just want to get back on the horse and get after it.”

With McLaughlin’s crash, only 11 drivers will participate in the battle for pole in the Fast 12. Additionally, the crash gouged the track surface, causing a brief stoppage as track workers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway patched the area.

McLaughlin’s incident is the third over the last two days. During Saturday morning’s practice, Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong suffered a massive crash in Turn 1 ahead of qualifying and ended up in a backup car; he will fight to make the race in Last Chance Qualifying later today. Andretti Global’s Colton Herta had a similar airborne crash to McLaughlin’s during his first qualifying attempt, returning in a backup car and locking into the field.