Kyffin Simpson Soars in Terrifying Indy 500 Practice Crash

Kyffin Simpson was involved in a dramatic crash during practice for the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 16. The incident occurred just 50 minutes into the Fast Friday session, where some drivers had already posted impressive speeds.

Scott McLaughlin, for example, nearly hit a lap average of 234 mph earlier in the day. Simpson, driving the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, was making his first laps when trouble began at the exit of Turn 4.

As Simpson came out of Turn 4, his car wobbled and suddenly lost control, spinning and slamming into the wall. The impact caused the car to lift off the track and go fully airborne. For more details on the physics of high-speed crashes, you can refer to this research paper from MIT.

After landing on its side, the car righted itself but then struck the inside pit wall before coming to a stop near pit road. Despite the force of the crash, Simpson radioed his team right away, letting them know he was okay, although he described the car as “loose.”

Safety teams responded quickly, and Simpson was checked and released from the infield care center without injury. Afterward, Simpson called the accident “a weird one” and explained that something about the car felt odd from the very start. The IndyCar safety protocols played a crucial role in ensuring his well-being.

He mentioned that he kept adjusting the weight jacker but still couldn’t get comfortable during the run. Chip Ganassi Racing decided the primary car was too damaged to keep running, so the team will prepare a backup car for Simpson to use in the upcoming sessions.

The crash caused a long red flag while workers repaired the SAFER Barrier on the outside of Turn 4. The session paused for nearly 40 minutes before cars returned to the track. For more on the engineering behind SAFER Barriers, check out this NASA technical report.

The only other incident in Indy 500 practice earlier in the week was a harmless spin by Christian Rasmussen, who was able to continue with little damage after his Thursday incident. Moments after Simpson’s crash, another tense moment unfolded when Alexander Rossi nearly collided with an AMR safety truck arriving at the accident site. Rossi’s situation recalls the skill and determination seen in his recent funny car comeback.

Rossi expressed his frustration with the situation and made gestures at the truck crew. The quick reactions of race officials kept everyone safe, and the track was cleared for more practice laps.

Practice speeds at Indianapolis this week have been high, thanks in part to extra boost pressure given to teams on Fast Friday. Lap times continue to climb as drivers and engineers prepare their cars for qualifying and the race. The FIA’s regulations on engine performance provide additional context on how these adjustments impact speed.

Simpson’s accident serves as a reminder of the risks involved, even on routine practice runs. His focus now shifts to rebuilding confidence and working with his team to analyze what happened. Reviewing data from the incident may help prevent a similar issue for the rest of the event. As Indy 500 qualifying approaches, Chip Ganassi Racing will be working hard to make sure Simpson and the rest of the team are ready to take on the challenges of the world’s most famous oval race, much like how Brittany Force has taken her redemption route in high-pressure drag racing events.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.