Scott McLaughlin Crashes Hard in IndyCar Practice at Barber Motorsports Park

The Team Penske driver was unhurt and eager to put back-up car back on track for qualifying.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:08am

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NTT IndyCar Series racer Scott McLaughlin had a scary crash during Saturday morning practice at Barber Motorsports Park, cutting the session short. McLaughlin said he misjudged the apex of Turn 1, got the right rear tire off the track, and went into a high-speed skid before slamming through the bottom of the catch fence. The two-time winner at this venue exited the car on his own and was unhurt, and plans to switch to a back-up car for qualifying.

Why it matters

McLaughlin is a top IndyCar driver with two previous wins at Barber Motorsports Park, so this crash during a critical practice session before qualifying raises concerns about his ability to compete at the front of the field for Sunday's race. The incident also highlights the inherent dangers of high-speed motorsports and the importance of safety features like catch fences in protecting drivers and spectators.

The details

According to the report, McLaughlin said he was 'trying to open the apex of [Turn] 1' when he got the right rear tire off the track, corrected, went into a high-speed skid, and slammed through the bottom of the catch fence. The crash sent his car backwards halfway through the fencing and displaced retention cables. McLaughlin said he knew he was 'done' and just tried to brace himself as the rear of his car was speeding towards the wall at around 150 mph.

  • The crash occurred during Saturday morning practice at Barber Motorsports Park, cutting the session short by 4 minutes.
  • Sunday's 90-lap race is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (local time).

The players

Scott McLaughlin

A NTT IndyCar Series racer driving for Team Penske, who has won at Barber Motorsports Park twice before in 2023 and 2024.

Chip Ganassi Racing

The racing team of Alex Palou, who was fastest in the practice session where McLaughlin crashed.

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What they’re saying

“I knew I was done. I dropped the right rear and spun, so I just tried to brace myself a bit. I think the crash looked a lot worse than it felt. I'm gutted for my Odyssey Battery guys.”

— Scott McLaughlin, NTT IndyCar Series racer

“The car felt good. A little bit loose this morning. Cold temps were making it a bit different. But I feel good and love this place. I just want to get back out there [for qualifying] and be good. I just want to go out and go for pole.”

— Scott McLaughlin, NTT IndyCar Series racer

What’s next

McLaughlin plans to switch to a back-up car for NTT P1 Award qualifying later on Saturday.

The takeaway

This crash highlights the inherent risks and high-speed nature of IndyCar racing, but also McLaughlin's determination to bounce back and compete for pole position despite the incident. It will be crucial for him to get his back-up car dialed in quickly to have a chance at a strong result in Sunday's race.