Share and Follow
IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin had a fortunate escape from a harrowing crash during preparations for the Grand Prix of Alabama.
On Saturday, March 28, the 32-year-old Team Penske driver was engaged in a practice session at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, when his vehicle unexpectedly spun, slamming its rear into a boundary fence. Despite the alarming nature of the crash, several media outlets confirmed that McLaughlin emerged unscathed.
In the aftermath of the incident, McLaughlin took to Instagram to reassure his supporters that he would be participating in Sunday’s race.
“That one’s on me. P14 for the show tomorrow. Super proud of the #Thirsty3’s and everyone at @team_penske for putting our battery wagon back together,” he posted on Saturday night. “She’s still quick, and we’ll be ready to get to work in the morning.”
Fox Sports 1 commentators, during their live broadcast, highlighted how narrowly McLaughlin avoided a potentially devastating situation. Dashcam footage revealed the driver instinctively raising his hands to his head, preparing for the impact, as he skillfully maneuvered the car to avoid a head-on collision with the safety barrier.
During live TV coverage, Fox Sports 1 commentators explained to viewers just how close McLaughlin came to a potentially catastrophic situation. A dashcam video showed the driver bringing his hands to his head in order to brace for impact as he turned the car enough so it wouldn’t crash headfirst into the safety barrier.
“That’s got to be a 150 mile-per-hour impact into the tire stack,” a commentator explained, before clarifying that the speed may actually have been closer to 170 miles per hour.
“Guys, at the end of the day, all of this [safety] equipment absolutely did its job,” one of the reporters told viewers. “It slowed the car down.”
His colleague agreed, saying. “[The safety equipment] allowed Scott to slow down and and [be saved] from a horrible impact. A horrible incident out here at Turn One.”
NASCAR’s Joey Logano has some major beef with fellow driver Austin Dillon. Following Dillon’s victory at Richmond Raceway on Sunday, August 11, Logano, 34, went off to reporters. “It’s ridiculous that that’s the way we race. Unbelievable,” Logano said. “I get bump and runs. I do that. I would expect it. But from four car […]
The FS1 commentary team likened the high-tensile strength safety cables inside McLaughlin’s car to a “resting F14 [fighter jet] on an aircraft carrier.”
“Those cables absolutely kept McLaughlin inside the stadium and not into the parkland,” a reporter explained on air.
Moments after the crash, McLaughlin was shown climbing out of his “totally destroyed” car with assistance from the on-site emergency team. He embraced some of Team Penske pit crew members and ultimately walked away on his own power.
Scott McLaughlin in March 2026. Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Later in the day, McLaughlin thanked his Team Penske pit crew for helping get his car back into shape for Sunday’s Grand Prix of Alabama.
“So lucky for my team, but not only the #thirsty3s but everyone on the 2 car and the 12 car that pitched in today,” he wrote via Instagram. “Then to build me a whole new car for me to have the confidence to ship in qualifying. Thank you team. Team Sport, this thing is ready to go for tomorrow.”
McLaughlin joined Team Penske’s lineup for the IndyCar Series in 2021, officially making his debut at the Firestone Grand Prix in St. Petersburg, Florida. He later finished third in the IndyCar Series in 2023 and 2024 and had his best showing at the Indy 500 in 2024, where he finished sixth overall.