IndyCar Series drivers Colton Herta and Rinus VeeKay were not injured and walked away from a terrifying airborne crash during a restart Friday night in the first of event of the doubleheader weekend at Iowa Speedway.
On Lap 156 of 250 as drivers were preparing for a restart, IndyCar aborted it. But it may have been too late notice for Herta, whose No. 88 Honda plowed into the left rear of VeeKay’s No. 21 Chevrolet. The contact between the two sent Herta flying through the air, spinning halfway around above the SAFER barrier on the outside of the track and barely missing VeeKay’s head.
Herta remained airborne after soaring ahead of the rookie driver before ultimately landing right side up and sliding across the track.
Both Herta and VeeKay were evaluated and cleared by the medical center after the crash and will compete in the second Iowa race Saturday.
Here’s a more detailed replay of the wreck, including Herta’s view from the driver’s seat:
Afterward, Herta told NBC Sports that he didn’t slow down because he didn’t realize IndyCar called the restart off, which officials said happened because Pato O’Ward jumped the restart. More via NBC Sports:
“It happened so fast, I wasn’t really sure what was going on, but I’m happy to report, I’m fine,” Herta told NBCSN pit reporter Kelli Stavast. “No injuries. I feel perfectly fine and fit to drive (in Saturday’s race). …
“I wasn’t told the restart was called off,” Herta said. “I was told green. I wasn’t going to go by the lights when I was told green. So that’s what happened. And there you go. I guess everyone else got the message. Happy to be OK.”
And in a video he tweeted, he thanked everyone for their support and said he’s “100 percent OK” and “really excited to get back on track” Saturday.
VeeKay told NBC Sports after that he’s pleased with the safety precautions IndyCar has taken, particularly the new aeroscreen it added this year to increase protection of the driver and act as a windshield. VeeKay said his aeroscreen was destroyed in the wreck.
“I’m very happy, especially with the safety. … The aeroscreen, it was destroyed. Thank you to IndyCar for the great safety cell and let’s go for it tomorrow.”
Here’s a closer look at the crash:
The Herta-VeeKay crash wasn’t the only time Friday night when IndyCar’s aeroscreen proved just how crucial its presence actually is.
Prior to Herta’s airborne wreck, Will Power lost a wheel, literally, after his car made contact with the outside wall. And as he slid around the track trying to get control of the car, his tire nearly took his head off, and Power credited the aeroscreen for protection him.
Simon Pagenaud won Friday’s race at Iowa Speedway. Saturday’s race at the same track is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
