Colton Herta Escapes Massive Airborne Indy 500 Qualifying Crash

Colton Herta endured a dramatic and frightening crash during Indianapolis 500 qualifying on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Driving the No. 26 Honda for Andretti Global, Herta lost control entering Turn 1 on his very first flying lap.

The car snapped around and hit the wall backwards at nearly 235 mph. Instantly, the rear of the car lifted off the ground, flipped, landed upside down, and slid along the track.

The car finally came to a stop at the Turn 2 wall, surrounded by a shower of sparks. Qualifying was halted for about 18 minutes while safety crews responded.

The AMR Safety Team quickly reached the scene and carefully pushed the wrecked car back onto its wheels. Herta, age 25, climbed out of the car under his own power but walked away slowly, favoring one leg.

He was checked and released from the infield care center soon after. As a result, Andretti Global will be forced to prepare a backup car, complicating their qualifying plans for the weekend.

Herta’s airborne wreck was the second such incident during Indy 500 week. Just a day earlier, Kyffin Simpson also got airborne during a practice session known as Fast Friday.

Simpson’s car came back to rest on its wheels more promptly than Herta’s. After medical checks, Herta told TV reporters he felt okay, saying, “these crashes look a lot scarier than they feel — not to say that one felt good.”

Herta emphasized the team’s task ahead as they rebuild and prepare the backup car. He admitted it was a tough break, noting, “We were super happy with the car this morning, and go out and it’s just loose.”

“Couldn’t even get Lap 1 done. So, yeah, it sucks, but I’m good and we’ll keep going,” Herta added.

With nearly 18 minutes lost to cleanup and an entire car written off, the timing put added pressure on the Andretti crew. If repairs were not done the same day, Herta would be forced to make his qualifying attempt during the ‘Bump Day’ session.

This risked his grid position and his chance to make the field. The team turned all its attention to preparing the backup car, knowing every minute counted.

Herta’s accident highlighted the challenge and risk of qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where cars routinely exceed 230 mph. Turn 1 has been especially tricky, with recent winds and changing grip conditions catching several drivers by surprise.

Simpson’s airborne crash a day earlier also drew attention to the delicate balance between speed and safety at the iconic 2.5-mile oval.

Despite the chaos and damage, Herta’s ability to walk away demonstrated continued improvements in IndyCar safety. Drivers wear protective gear including advanced head and neck restraints, while cars feature strengthened cockpit structures and an aeroscreen to protect against debris.

These updates, along with rapid response from on-site safety teams, have helped limit injuries even in violent and spectacular crashes like those seen this week.

As qualifying resumed, the Indianapolis 500 paddock focused on backup car preparations and assessed data that could help prevent similar incidents. Herta’s determination and positive attitude offered encouragement to fans.

All eyes were on whether he could bounce back for a strong run on Bump Day. The race for a place on the starting grid at Indianapolis continues, with teams facing new challenges in pursuit of the ultimate prize.

In recent weeks, drivers like Alex Palou have shown strong form, raising anticipation for the upcoming race weekend.

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.