IndyCar star Will Power crashes hard into wall during qualifying

Power was among the top 10 during qualifying before the incident at Barber Motorsports Park.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:51pm

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IndyCar driver Will Power was involved in a terrifying crash during qualifying for the Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix on Saturday. Power's wheels locked up as he was driving into a corner, causing him to crash head-on into the barrier. He was cleared from the infield care center after the incident.

Why it matters

Power is a top IndyCar driver, so this crash during a key qualifying session raises concerns about his car's performance and safety issues that could impact the race. Crashes like this also heighten risks for drivers and can shake up the starting grid for the main event.

The details

Power said the brakes on his car failed, causing him to lose control and crash into the wall. He maintained that the car was still good despite not having a 'clean lap' during the race weekend so far. Power will start 23rd on Sunday. Scott McLaughlin also had a serious crash during practice, spinning out and backing his car into the fence at 150 mph.

  • The crash occurred during qualifying on Saturday afternoon ahead of the Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix.
  • The race is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 30, 2026.

The players

Will Power

An IndyCar driver who was involved in a terrifying crash during qualifying for the Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix.

Scott McLaughlin

An IndyCar driver who also had a serious crash during practice, spinning out and backing his car into the fence at 150 mph.

Alex Palou

The driver who won the pole position for the Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix.

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What they’re saying

“The brake just went to the floor. I think the fronts were working so it was a brake failure on the rear. That's all I know.”

— Will Power

“It looked a lot worse than it felt.”

— Scott McLaughlin

What’s next

The Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 30, 2026.

The takeaway

This crash highlights the inherent risks and dangers that IndyCar drivers face, even during qualifying sessions. It raises questions about the safety and performance of the cars, as well as the potential impact on the starting grid for the main race on Sunday.