Indy 500: Newgarden suffers big crash in Day 4 practice

Newgarden, who started second and finished third in last year’s Indianapolis 500, had completed 35 laps today and lay fourth in the lap speeds chart with a 225.455mph lap.

He had just recorded a 216mph lap in traffic, when he lost the car at the apex of Turn 1 and spun into the wall.

The #2 Penske made two hard contacts with the SAFER barrier on the way into Turn 2.

The car was swiftly lifted and carried back to Penske’s pit, while Newgarden was transported to the infield medical center. He was there checked, cleared and released to drive.

He said: “I banged my foot a little bit, so it’s going to be bruised for the next couple of weeks, but I’ll get through that,” said Newgarden.

“I’m totally fine, the car did its job like it always has. We have a great safety crew here in IndyCar, and we’ve got a great racing tub with Dallara.

"Tough break for us in the #2 car with Team Penske. It’s obviously not something you want to do, especially on a day like today – a pretty nice day out, no big issues. I’m disappointed that we ran into a problem.

"I just got called into the pits, so I was coming in and I didn’t want to check up too much for the guys behind me and cause a problem. It just seemed to get away from me. Until I get to look at everything, I’m not 100 percent sure what caused it.

"It was probably my mistake, but until I get to look at everything it’s hard to tell. I feel bad for our guys that we’ve got extra work.”

Newgarden currently lies third in the Verizon IndyCar Series, having recorded his first win for Penske at Barber Motorsports Park.