Tom Blomqvist started the 2024 Indianapolis 500 from the 25th position. As he rolled into Turn 1, he drifted the No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda under the white line and touched the curbing. Unfortunately, this caused the back end of his car to snap around, triggering a chaotic incident.
Marcus Ericsson, the 2022 Indy 500 champion and last year’s runner-up, started 32nd in a backup car. He was running a lane up and entering Turn 1 when his No. 28 Andretti Global Honda collided with Blomqvist’s spinning machine. The collision sent both cars to a stop in the short chute between Turns 1 and 2.
TROUBLE right at the start!
Multiple cars involved in a Lap 1 incident!
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— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 26, 2024
In the aftermath of the crash, the No. 30 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda driven by Pietro Fittipaldi tried to avoid the wreckage but ended up making wheel-to-wheel contact with Callum Ilott. Ilott had started from the rear of the field due to a mechanical issue with his No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet during the pace laps.
Marcus Ericsson expressed his frustration after being released from the infield care center, saying, “I can’t believe it. We had to work so hard. The team did such a good job rebuilding that car. We fought all last weekend. We fought all week, and this happens.”
Blomqvist accepts his mistake after Marcus Ericsson’s frustration
Blomqvist, on the other hand, was disappointed for the team. He hadn’t made any mistakes throughout the month but found himself in a challenging scenario at the start. Reflecting on the incident, he said, “Haven’t made a single mistake all month long and then a scenario like that at the start, just getting too low I think and clipped the curb…spun me around. Gutted for the guys that were involved in that mess. Most importantly, everyone is alright.”
While Ilott managed to continue, Blomqvist, Marcus Ericsson, and Fittipaldi were forced into early retirements. It’s a reminder of how unpredictable and intense motorsports can be, even for seasoned drivers like Blomqvist and Ericsson. The fine margins between success and disaster are ever-present on the racetrack. Hopefully, they’ll bounce back stronger in future races.
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