Colton Herta and Rinus VeeKay were unhurt after a savage crash during a restart of lap 156 at the NTT IndyCar Series race at Iowa Speedway.
As IndyCar exited the start, Herta was still accelerating, and his No. 88 Dallara-Honda collided with the left rear of VeeKay’s No. 21 Dallara-Chevrolet.
The impact launched Herta’s car into the air and spun over the front SAFER barrier for about 30 feet before violently returning to the pavement.
LAST TO FIRST: Simon Pagenaud wins in Iowa
“It happened so fast that 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 injury. I feel perfectly fine and fit to drive (in Saturday’s race).
Herta’s streak of four consecutive results in the top 10 was broken. He said he was not slowing down because he did not know that the restart had been canceled. IndyCar officials said they rejected the restart because Pato O’Ward was determined to have skipped the start.
“They didn’t tell me the restart was suspended,” Herta said. “They told me it was green. I wasn’t going to go through the lights when they told me it was green. So that’s what happened. And there you have it. I guess everyone else got the message. Happy to be fine. “
Here is a sequence of photos from the accident:
VeeKay was also checked and released from the limelight and licensed to drive.
“It really sucks,” VeeKay told Stavast. “We were having an incredible career. This could have been a podium or perhaps even a victory. Really a bummer. I know we have an amazing car to stand on the podium or win tomorrow. I am very confident. “
VeeKay also credited that he was not injured in the Colton Herta windshield accident, which was introduced this year by IndyCar to improve cabin safety by essentially adding a windshield to help protect drivers’ heads.
“Yes, I am very happy, especially with security,” said VeeKay. “I left. I saw the entire row. So yes, the screen was destroyed. Thanks to IndyCar for the great security cell and we will go for it tomorrow ”.
Race winner Simon Pagenaud said the first thing he thought when he saw “two cars flying behind me quite high was:” Thank goodness we have the windshield. Once again, I have been in favor of the spray screen for safety. Unfortunately, being close to what happened to Justin (Wilson, who was killed after being hit by debris in an accident in August 2015 at Pocono Raceway) was really tough, really tough for everyone.
“Obviously, being there and seeing what happened was extremely difficult, so I am very pleased that IndyCar is doing its best to pioneer a new level of security, and I appreciate that.”
Penske team driver Will Power, who was also shielded from a loose left front wheel that jerked and flew over his No. 12 Dallara-Chevrolet in a crash: “Man, I can’t thank IndyCar enough for everything. We’ve done it safely with the spray and the halo inside the spray. You just saw Colton Herta go over someone, and he just did a tremendous job. It’s better than any other series that has implemented something like that. a very good job.
