Watch the video as Scott McLaughlin crashed through the fencing at Barber Motorsports Park
On Saturday, IndyCar Series driver were on track at Barber Motorsports Park. It was the second round of practice at the Birmingham, Alabama facility ahead of this weekend’s race.
In the closing minutes of the practice session, Scott McLaughlin dropped a wheel at corner entry. The car jumped around and he was sent flying backwards at a high rate of speed through the sand trap.
The car caught air as it went through the sand. McLaughlin was launched upwards over the wall and into the fencing. The car almost went fully through the fence on the impact.
“Tire touched the grass,” the driver stated over the team radio as he sat parked in the fencing. “I’m sorry.”
The corner entry speed was roughly 150mph. At the time of impact with the fencing, McLaughlin was traveling backwards at roughly 50mph.
Seconds after the radio transmission the safety crews were on site. The driver climbed out on his own.
Watch the IndyCar crash video below.
Scott McLaughlin comments
McLaughlin was quickly checked and released from the infield medical center.
“I knew I was done. I dropped the right rear, spun and just tried to brace myself,” McLaughlin told Fox Sports.
“I think the crash looked a lot worse than it felt. I feel like we can get this thing fixed and I can go ship it again.”
“I just wanna go out and go for pole. Just get in the car and get going, I can’t wait.”
“I feel good and love this place.”
“I dropped the right rear, spun and I was flying backwards. Then I ended up halfway through the fence. I’m really upset more for my team than anything.”
“The way it slipped through there, it might be okay. I’m very thankful for the safety and whatnot.”
He added, “I made a mistake and need to be better.”
INDYCAR TV schedule for Barber (March 2026)
