STEAM CORNERS, Ohio — Former Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio winner Simon Pagenaud had a massive crash in turn four at the 13-turn, 2.258-mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Saturday morning’s practice session.
Just 8:14 into the session, Pagenaud’s No. 60 Honda was at full speed when the brakes may have failed on his Meyer Shank Racing machine. It went full bore into the grass and barrel-rolled 6-1/2 times before it came to rest upside down near the tire barrier.
Scary incident in practice 2 for @simonpagenaud.
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) July 1, 2023
Pagenaud has been seen and released. #INDYCAR // #Honda200 pic.twitter.com/0tmi9IOgGs
The AMR Safety Crew was able to get the car on its side as a shaken Pagenaud was able to climb from the machine. Dr. Julia Vaizer, the IndyCar Director of Medical Affairs, could be seen giving the driver a preliminary evaluation before the 2016 IndyCar Series champion was taken to the IndyCar Medial Unit for further evaluation.
The driver described what went through his mind the moment he realized he had an issue.
“I thought, ‘Oh (bleep), it’s going to hurt,” Pagenaud said. “It was a hell of a ride, for sure. Something broke and I couldn’t slow down.
“I tried to make the corner any ways. I know that gravel is deadly. Michael Andretti has done it (in 1998). I guess I’m joining another legend.
“It is downhill, which is nuts. The car took off, hit the gravel, and rolled. I’m so glad we have the aero screen. Thank you, IndyCar, for that.”
Pagenaud said he is ready to go for qualifying.
“I’m ready,” he said. “I could get back in now. The doctor has to make that decision. We’ll see what they say. Very unfortunate for us.
“I got some good TV time, I guess.”
Following this morning’s incident at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the driver of the No. 60 was evaluated and released by the IndyCar medical team. As per IndyCar protocol, Pagenaud has not been cleared to return to racing today. He will be re-evaluated tomorrow morning.
Pagenaud won the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio in 2016.