Alexander Rossi was taken to a local hospital after a three-car crash during Indy 500 practice on May 18, with updates from Ed Carpenter Racing saying he had injuries to a left finger and right ankle. The team says he has no additional injuries and is expected
The Monday practice session for the Indianapolis 500 ended with a jolt in Turn 2—then a scramble for answers.
Alexander Rossi was taken to the hospital after a three-car crash during practice on Monday, May 18, according to his team, Ed Carpenter Racing. The initial report from ECR was specific about what he was feeling: he was treated for injuries on a left finger and his right ankle.
That same night. ECR reassured fans and competitors with a statement saying. “Rossi is in good spirits and has no additional injuries.” Rossi will continue to be evaluated by the IndyCar medical team. and he is expected to participate in Carb Day practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday. May 22. He is also expected to be in the 2026 Indy 500 on Sunday. May 24. where he qualified on the front row in second position.
ECR said the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet team would prepare a backup car for Rossi and return to the track for final practice on Friday, May 22.
The crash itself unfolded quickly. Rossi spun out and struck the wall in Turn 2 during Monday’s practice session. Pato O’Ward got caught in the dust, spun out, and ran into Rossi from the side. As the scene formed, Romain Grosjean spun out from behind and also crashed into the wall.
O’Ward and Grosjean were taken to the infield medical center and released. according to the Indy Star. part of the USA TODAY Network. They are expected to have reconstructed cars in time for Friday’s practice. O’Ward is slated to start on the second row in sixth place. while the former F1 racer Grosjean qualified on the eighth row in 24th place.
Rossi spent more than 90 minutes inside the medical center before being transported to a local hospital in Indianapolis.
IndyCar’s own statement came about an hour and a half after the crash. It said, “Alexander Rossi is being transported to a local hospital for further evaluation, per Dr. Julia Vaizer. IndyCar medical director.” The league also reported that while he was evaluated at the track’s medical center. he was “awake and alert. and in good spirits.”.
Rossi did not speak to reporters after the crash. O’Ward and Grosjean both said they were okay.
“I’m alright. I’m good,” O’Ward said after being evaluated. “Just wrong place, wrong time. … I’ve had plenty of hits here. so I’ll be able to get back in it just like nothing happened. and I know my guys will be able to replace whatever it is that’s damaged to make sure that we’re right back where we were.”.
Grosjean said he was “good,” and then joked, “better 10 minutes ago, right?” After that, he turned more serious, expressing concern for his fellow drivers.
“Most importantly everyone is okay. It happens. Rossi spun. Pato spun. … Not ideal, wrong place, wrong time.”
The sequence of the crash—dust catching O’Ward. then Grosjean’s spin from behind—left the drivers shaken but not helpless: cars can be rebuilt. and plans can move forward. For Rossi. the immediate priority became medical evaluation. even as the team kept its eyes on Friday’s practice and the long road ahead toward the 2026 Indy 500.
Alexander Rossi Indy 500 IndyCar Ed Carpenter Racing Pato O'Ward Romain Grosjean Carb Day practice Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Left finger and right ankle?? man that’s still bad tho.
So he’s fine enough to be in the 2026 Indy 500 but somehow also in the hospital? I’m confused. Maybe it was just a scare for the cameras.
I read where he spun in Turn 2 and then Pato O’Ward hit him, then Grosjean got involved. Honestly Turn 2 always looks sketchy like they should repave it or something. How do they expect him to do Carb Day practice Friday if his ankle’s hurt?
This is why I don’t trust IndyCar safety, like one second you’re “in good spirits” and the next you’re in a hospital. Also why does “backup car” matter if he’s hurt? Sounds like they just swap him out, not gonna lie. Turn 2 wall injuries are no joke but they keep saying he’s expected to race like nothing happened.