Scott McLaughlin is returning to the Indianapolis 500 a year after a shocking incident that took him out of the race before it even began.
During the final pace laps for the 2025 Indianapolis 500, McLaughlin’s car spun and crashed into the wall. The Team Penske driver’s race was over before it started.
“I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy,” McLaughlin said of the experience.
Nightmare at Indianapolis
McLaughlin’s car snapped around without warning as he approached Turn 1 on the warm-up lap. He lost control and careened towards the inside wall. The impact destroyed his car.
“To this day, I still have no idea what happened,” McLaughlin said. “I felt like I was just warming up my tires. It was a little aggressive on the tire warm-up, but the way it just went like that (snaps his fingers), it was tough.”
McLaughlin had been set to start 10th in the Indy 500. In the prior year, he had led 66 laps and finished sixth.
Embarrassment and Shock
McLaughlin described the incident as “absolutely the worst moment of my life.” He said there was no lapse in concentration when the incident occurred, and he felt good and was “laser-focused” in preparing to start the race.
He also said that “even when things feel great, it can go bad.”
McLaughlin said the fact that seven and a half million people were watching made it so hard. He felt embarrassed and shocked.
“As much as I just wanted to roll into a ball and cry, I was trying to think about the brands who are on my suit, the person I drive for, the guys who are hurting back in the pits. …”
Support From Fellow Drivers
After the crash, McLaughlin received texts from around the world. Fellow Indy 500 drivers told him they nearly did the same thing.
It was an unusually chilly day, and there had just been a delay due to persistent drizzle before the cars hit the track.
McLaughlin is now focused on the 2026 Indy 500.