Indianapolis – Colton Hertha His Indianapolis 500 finish rolled a finish during final practice on Friday. Andretti Autosport’s star driver was unhurt in the most significant crash in preparation for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.
“I think I was going really fast in that corner,” Herta said.
The crash wrecked 25 minutes before Carp’s day, Andretti’s Honda, and Herta will need a backup for Sunday’s race. He also blew out an engine in qualifying and would start 25th in any car Andretti could prepare for race day.
“A bit sad about this race car,” Herta said when asked how he felt after leaving the pitch care centre.
The 22-year-old driver from California was speaking on his team radio while his car was still rolling. When it stopped, his father, Brian, radioed Herta to keep him in place and strapped until emergency crews could free him from the car.
His father, his race strategist, immediately went to Andretti’s garage to oversee the preparations for the spare car.
“Grateful for a lot of things,” said Colton Herta. “I think the air fender is a part of that. More than that, the safety crew, and I think just the durability of the side pods on the cars side chassis. That was a big hit from the side. Yes, the safety crews there were really fast turning me on again.”
Earlier in practice, David Mallukas crashed after contact with Santino Ferrucci. Mallukas, 20, is the youngest driver in the field. Ferrucci was penalized for an avoidable contact.
“It was probably one of the biggest hits I’ve ever felt,” Mallukas said. “I only came out with a small bruise.”
Herta scored his first win of the IndyCar season earlier this month with a fun drive through the rain on the road track inside Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Last year Hertha qualified second, started front row and drove 13 laps before the strategy backfired and he faded to a disappointing 16th.
He said Friday’s exercise was about “balancing the last little parts right.”
That was until the accident.
“I’m not too concerned about the race,” said Herta. “I think the car will be fine.”
Tony Kanaan And the Marcus Ericsson Driving practice for Chip Ganassi Racing. Scott Dixonthe pole sitter, was the third fastest and seven-time champion in NASCAR Jimmy Johnson It took seventh place as Ganassi had four cars in the top seven. Alex Ballouthe reigning IndyCar champ, was 14th and slowest of the Ganassi group.
“We had a good car all month. We didn’t go out and [say] Let’s be the fastest on Carb Day, said Kanaan, the 2013 Indy 500 champion. “It doesn’t matter, and it doesn’t mean anything. It’s the result of a good car we’ve had all month. You look at your teammates, they’re all there.”
Johnson has been everywhere this month, from the track to the late-night talk show circuit as he prepares for his first Indy 500 race. He was at Indy last season as part of NBC Sports coverage.
“I want to try everything,” Johnson said. “it was amazing.”
“Total coffee junkie. Tv ninja. Unapologetic problem solver. Beer expert.”
