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In a heart-stopping moment that left fans holding their breath, IndyCar sensation Scott McLaughlin walked away unharmed after a high-speed crash during a practice session on Saturday. The New Zealand-born driver was participating in preparations for the NTT IndyCar Series’ Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, scheduled for Sunday, when the alarming incident occurred.
McLaughlin encountered trouble on the Barber Motorsports Park circuit in Birmingham, Alabama. As he approached a left-hand turn, a slight miscalculation led to one of his wheels clipping the grass. This seemingly minor error set off a catastrophic spin, sending his car careening towards the barriers.
The dramatic crash, which was broadcast live on Fox Sports 1, saw McLaughlin’s vehicle collide with the barrier at an astonishing speed, estimated by commentators to be between 150mph and 170mph. Despite the severity of the crash, McLaughlin was able to emerge unscathed, much to the relief of his team and fans alike.
As he prepared for a left-hand turn on the circuit at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, he accidentally dipped a wheel onto the grass and was sent spinning around.
The incident, which was being shown live on Fox Sports 1 in America, then saw him spin out of control and hurtle into the barrier, at a speed estimated to be between 150mph and 170mph by the commentators.
Such was the force of the smash, McLaughlin’s car went straight through the barrier and fencing, exiting the other side and getting caught in some trees.
Medics immediately rushed to the scene, pulling apart the fence to reach the driver and ensure he was safe and unhurt.
Scott McLaughlin’s car spins after he dipped a wheel onto the grass in Alabama on Saturday
McLaughlin was helpless as his Team Penske car flew towards the barriers at high speed
He smashed through the barrier and the fence, eventually coming to a stop in the trees
Incredibly, he was able to be extracted from the car and walked away from the wreckage, in one of the scariest crashes in recent IndyCar memory.
McLaughlin is a big motorsports star, having won the drivers’ title in Supercars three times, in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
He moved to America to race in IndyCar for Team Penske in 2021 and has seven race wins and 23 podiums across 86 races and five years.
Despite the crash on Saturday, he was able to participate in the qualifying session a short while later, posting a time good enough for 14th of the 25 drivers.
Medics and stewards rushed to the scene to pull the fence apart and tend to the driver
Somehow, McLaughlin (pictured earlier this month) walked away from the scary smash
Alex Palou, one of the heavyweights of the series, will start on pole for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Elsewhere in the field, former F1 star Mick Schumacher – son of Michael – will start in 20th position as he continues his debut season in IndyCar.
Schumacher is racing for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, but admitted after the first two races of the year: ‘I thought I was ready, but I wasn’t.’Â