Colton Herta crashes in Indy 500 qualifying

Qualifying is underway for the 109th Indianapolis 500.

But one of the favorites might have to settle for a spot at the back of the field, if he qualifies at all, after a scary crash during qualifying on Saturday.

Colton Herta, driving the No. 26 Andretti Global Honda, was starting a four-lap qualifying run when he spun coming out of Turn 1, hitting the outside wall and then flipping, finally coming to a rest pressed against the barrier.

You can see Herta’s shunt here:

The driver was able to climb out of the car and walk to a waiting vehicle, where he was transported to the care center and ultimately cleared.

The crash was similar to another heavy shunt from Marcus Armstrong in the No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda, which also occurred on the same portion of Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier during the morning practice session:

Armstrong was transported from the track via a stretcher to the care center, where he was ultimately released over an hour later. “He is awake. He is alert. He’s doing well,” said Dr. Julia Vaizer, the medical director for IndyCar and the speedway, after Armstrong was released. His car was pulled from its guaranteed qualifying spot on Saturday, and the team might have to settle for Sunday’s Last Chance Qualifying session.

Herta was also cleared, and spoke with the media shortly after:

https://x.com/IndyCar/status/1923781320775188600

Full-field Qualifying for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 continues today at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with 30 cars clinching a spot in the field. Spots 13-30 will be determined today, with the final three spots up for grabs in tomorrow’s Last Chance Qualifying session.

In addition, the top 12 spots will be clinched Sunday as well, first in the Top 12 Qualifying and then finally in the Firestone Fast Six.