Patricio O’Ward Crashes During Indianapolis 500 Practice

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer

INDIANAPOLIS– Patricio O’Ward hit the wall coming out of Turn 2 during the third day of practice for the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500.

While following Helio Castroneves, O’Ward lost control of his No. 31 Carlin Racing Chevrolet and hit the SAFER Barrier exiting the second corner. The 2018 Indy Lights champion hit the wall head on and with the left rear corner of the car. The impact with the wall then allowed the car to get partially airborne before coming to the ground. The Mexican driver climbed out of the car, was checked and released from the IU Health Center and cleared to drive.

The NTT IndyCar Series rookie impressed many at Circuit of the Americas earlier this year in Austin, Texas and finished second at last year’s Freedom 100.

“I’m okay, I have a very good and strong team behind me,” said O’Ward. “I’m sure we’re going to be back on track in no time. There’s two kinds of people at IMS, the ones that are going to hit the wall and those that have already hit the wall and I’ve joined the club.

“I hit hard, I felt it all through my body. I mean when I hit the wall I felt it in my head and I think I maybe hit the sides of the monocoque so the tops of my hands are a bit sore. But the good thing is that we’re okay and it just looks like I just lost it, I guess. There’s not much more I can say about that but I’m just happy I’m okay and I know the team is going to get stuff ready for the next session or for at least tomorrow.”