Will Power set the pace in Saturday’s pre-qualifying practice at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, but the eyes of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES were on Simon Pagenaud, who endured a dramatic incident in Turn 4 early in the 45-minute practice for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2023 Accord Hybrid.
Pagenaud provided a wave to the crowd after walking away from the incident, which occurred just 6 minutes into the session. The 39-year-old one-time series champion was approaching Turn 4 when Meyer Shank Racing’s No. 60 AutoNation/SiriusXM Honda went off the track into the gravel pit, leading to nearly seven full rotations.
As the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team quickly approached Pagenaud’s car, he said on the team's radio that he was OK. After eight members of the safety team raised the car on its side for the 2016 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion to exit, Pagenaud sat to catch his breath.
After getting up, Pagenaud walked about 10 yards to the front of the car and knelt down once more and paused momentarily before getting up to walk to the safety vehicle. He waved and sent a kiss to the crowd before heading to the infield care center.
“It was a hell of a ride for sure,” Pagenaud said. “Something broke and I couldn't slow down. I tried to make the corner anyways, I was like, 'Maybe I can.' I know that gravel is (trouble). Michael Andretti has done it (in 1998). I guess I'm joining another legend, so that's cool.
“But I was just trying to bail out. It's downhill, which is nuts. Basically, the car took off. I hit the gravel and it just rolled. So, just glad I didn't go over the tire wall and so glad we have the aeroscreen. I'm really thankful for INDYCAR and the aeroscreen safety.”
Pagenaud conceded it was as rough of a crash as he has had in his illustrious career.
INDYCAR issued the following statement:
"Following this morning's incident at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the driver of the No. 60, Simon Pagenaud, was evaluated and released by the INDYCAR medical team. As per INDYCAR protocol, Pagenaud has not been cleared to return to racing today. He will be re-evaluated (Sunday) morning."
Although the tub wasn’t damaged, the team opted to work toward preparing a backup car. The team also asked Conor Daly to be prepared to stand in for Pagenaud if the 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner can't participate.
UPDATE: Meyer Shank Racing opted to have Daly drive the car in the race. Pagenaud will be re-evaluated in advance of the next event, the Honda Indy Toronto on July 16.
Power topped the time chart at 1 minute, 6.4905 seconds in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. He will be aiming for Team Penske’s first NTT P1 Award of the season this afternoon. The session is set for 2:45 p.m. (Peacock, INDYCAR Radio Network).
SEE: Practice Results
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou (No. 10 The American Legion Honda), Andretti Autosport’s Colton Herta (No. 26 Gainbridge Honda) and Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet) rounded out the top four as four different teams earned a place in that category.
Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Good Ranchers Team Penske Chevrolet) won last year’s race, finishing .5512 seconds ahead of Palou, who leads this year’s standings by 74 points over Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Marcus Ericsson. McLaughlin had the sixth-fastest lap in Saturday morning’s practice.