Officials to look into how wheel flew off car at Indy 500
One day after a tire flew over the stands at the Indy 500, Roger Penske acknowledged they were “very fortunate we didn’t have a bad accident” and believes officials will investigate the cause, according to the Associated Press.
“I saw what happened, saw it bounced on top of a building and went and hit a car over there, which obviously is very concerning,” Penske said, while also noting that a wheel hadn’t “come off in a long time.”
Penske — whose Penske Corporation owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and whose driver, Josef Newgarden, won the event — said there are “tethers on the wheels,” which the AP reported are intended to keep the wheels attached even after the movement of a collision.
The Indy 500 took a scary turn with about 16 laps remaining when Felix Rosenqvist’s car hit the the side and Kyle Kirkwood collided with him.
It prompted Kirkwood’s car to flip and one of his tires to soar into the parking lot.
The car of Kyle Kirkwood (r.) collides with Felix Rosenqvist (l.) during the Indy 500 on Sunday. Screengrab via Twitter/@thecomeback
Kyle Kirkwood’s car slides against the wall after colliding with Felix Rosenqvist at the Indy 500. Screengrab via Twitter/@thecomeback
A tire flew off a car toward the stands at the Indy 500 on Sunday. Twitter/@DavidBloomberg
The car of Robin Matthews was damaged by the tire that flew over the stands at the Indy 500. Screengrab via Twitter/@@AndrewKossack
No one was injured by the flying tire, and one person was injured and treated due to other debris from the collision.
“All I know is I was up in the fence, which is never a good thing in IndyCar,” Kirkwood said Sunday. “Thank God these cars are so safe. I saw sparks flying everywhere. That’s the scary part. You’re upside-down and you’re kind of stuck at that point.”
The tire caused damage to a white Chevrolet in the parking lot that needed to be towed, and its owner, Robin Matthews, was allowed to kiss the Yard of Bricks — a tradition reserved to the event’s winner.
“I’m sure the guys at IndyCar will look at it, will determine what really happened,” Penske said.
When Newgarden emerged as the winner out of a one-lap restart at the end, it gave Penske his 19th victory as an owner.
His parking spot at the Speedway, which previously was marked by an 18, had already been changed to 19, according to The Athletic.
A tire at the Indy 500 flew off a car and over the fence. Twitter/@DavidBloomberg
Roger Penske addressed the tire that flew over the stands at the Indy 500 on Sunday. Getty Images
“I’m just so thankful to be here,” Newgarden said following the race. “I started out as a fan in the crowd, and this place is amazing, regardless of where you’re sitting. Everyone kept asking why I hadn’t won this race, and they look at you like you’re a failure if you haven’t won it. I knew I was capable. I knew I could.”
— with AP
Source: New York Post
