INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Sebastian Saavedra of Colombia has crashed during Sunday’s qualifying session for the Indianapolis 500.
Saavedra, a rookie, spun coming out of the first turn and slammed into the wall before skidding to a stop between the first and second turns. He was taken to the infield medical center and released.
The crash could be a devastating blow to Saavedra, who hoped to start his first Indianapolis 500 next week.
Saavedra was the slowest of the 33 qualifiers at 223.634 mph and would be the next car bumped from the starting grid. It’s unlikely he would be able to make another qualifying run in the final hour.
Former Indy pole winner Tony Kanaan crashed Sunday morning and made it onto the track in the afternoon, but is struggling to top 223 mph.
