Crashing out of the Indianapolis 500 is unfortunate for any driver and their team regardless of when it happens. But crashing out of it before even completing the first of 200 laps — and after waiting out a four-hour weather delay — has to be extra painful.
And that’s exactly what happened to 2022 Indy 500 champion Marcus Ericsson, who was simply collateral damage in someone else’s error.
Not halfway around Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2.5-mile track on Lap 1, Indy 500 rookie Tom Blomqvist went too low on the track, lost control of his No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda and spun. He collected Ericsson and Pietro Fittipaldi in the accident.
TROUBLE right at the start!
Multiple cars involved in a Lap 1 incident!
📺: #Indy500 on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/7jXuG3oJ1F
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 26, 2024
That’s so disappointing all around, especially after drivers and their teams had to wait so long Sunday for the weather to clear. And especially for Ericsson’s team, which had to do significant work on the car after the 33-year-old Swedish driver crashed during Indy 500 practice.
All three drivers are OK after being evaluated by the infield care center, per IndyCar.
After being released from the infield care center, Ericsson spoke to NBC Sports’ Dave Burns and appeared to be in total disbelief that his 2024 Indy 500 was already over. Ericsson said:
“I can’t believe it. It’s unbelievable. It’s just so frustrating. I don’t know what to say. We had to work so hard. The team did such a good job rebuilding that car. We fight it all last weekend, we fight it all week to be good and then this happens. It’s just — I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it.”
Marcus Ericsson is OUT of the #Indy500 on lap one!
A brutal start for multiple drivers. pic.twitter.com/JQ4XihPAkp
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 26, 2024
A closer look at what led to the Lap 1 incident.@Ericsson_Marcus and @tom_blomqvist have been seen and released.
📺: #Indy500 on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/aj3ehQmTz1
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 26, 2024
