In a terrifying moment that left spectators gasping at World Wide Technology Raceway on Sunday, IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden was launched into a violent flip after colliding with Louis Foster midway through the Bommarito Automotive Group 500.
The dramatic accident unfolded as Foster lost control of his car heading into a corner. After slamming into the wall, his car careened down the track into oncoming traffic, just as Newgarden was barreling down the frontstretch with nowhere to go. The impact sent Newgarden’s car airborne, flipping it upside down before it skidded along the pavement, sparks trailing beneath its roof.
Track marshals and IndyCar safety officials raced across pit road barriers to reach Newgarden’s vehicle as fans watched in stunned silence.
“I just couldn’t stop the car from spinning.”
Foster, who was released from the infield care center shortly after the crash, spoke about the frightening incident.
“I got a bit of a wiggle … got a bit too high and went into the marbles,” Foster told.
“I just couldn’t stop the car from spinning and, obviously, a pretty scary impact with myself and Josef. I’m glad he is OK.”
Newgarden, visibly shaken, declined to speak following the crash. His Team Penske Chevrolet had taken the brunt of the impact, flipping onto its roof, an image that will surely linger in the minds of fans and drivers alike.
Kyle Kirkwood Seizes Victory as Safety Concerns Resurface
While the crash overshadowed much of the race, Kyle Kirkwood went on to claim his second straight victory of the season, his third overall. The win solidifies his standing as one of the few consistent performers this season alongside Alex Palou, who continues to lead the championship standings.
Palou maintains a 73-point lead over Pato O’Ward, while Kirkwood trails just two points behind O’Ward in third.
“Glad he is OK,” echoed through the paddock after the crash, a sentiment that overshadowed podium celebrations. The collision served as a sobering reminder of the razor-thin margin between glory and disaster in open-wheel racing.
Racing On the Edge
As safety teams removed the damaged cars—including the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing #45, also involved in a separate incident—fans were left reflecting on the dangerous ballet of speed, instinct, and fate that defines motorsport at its highest level.
Though Newgarden avoided serious injury, the crash will likely fuel ongoing discussions about safety barriers and response times—issues that IndyCar has worked hard to address in recent years.
For now, the championship battle continues. But Sunday’s race at WWT Raceway will be remembered less for who stood atop the podium, and more for the chilling flip that brought an entire stadium to a standstill.
