Kiwi IndyCar aces Scott McLaughlin and Scott Dixon have seen their chances of victory in the iconic Indy 500 end in disastrous circumstances at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
McLaughlin, the former Aussie Supercars champion, was running 12th, when he lost control of his Chevrolet with 49 laps left and ploughed into the wall.
"I'm good," he told his crew, as he climbed out of the wreckage. "It just got loose."
"You're OK, that's all that matters," responded his crew.
Moments later, McLaughlin was able to reflect on his misfortune.
"Just bruised ego," he admitted. "Really gutted for everyone right now in the Pennzoil Chevy.
"We had a fast racecar today and came up through the pack and was running really strong, when I got caught by a gust of wind. I hadn't been in clean air for a while and it just caught me, I snapped around and hit the fence.
"The worst hit was probably the second hit. It's my first crash here, but unfortunately, that's how it happens and I'm gutted for everyone."
Named 2021 Rookie of the Year, McLaughlin led this year's championship early with victory at St Petersburg, Florida, but has seen that advantage disappear in subsequent races. The Indy 500 carries double points, so he will now fall further down the rankings.
Meanwhile, Dixon's hopes evaporated a few laps later, when he tried to make a quick stop and was caught speeding in pitlane. The polesitter was leading at the time, but the drive-through penalty effectively thwarted his pursuit of a second victory at 'The Brickyard'.
"Are you serious?" he demanded, after he was informed of his indiscretion.
Chasing his seventh IndyCar championship crown, Dixon, 41, clocked the fastest pole-qualifying time in the race's illustrious history to grab inside running for the fifth time in his career and during the race, he passed Al Unser for the most laps led, but has only converted those statistics into one victory in 2008.
"It’s heartbreaking, to be honest," Dixon said. "I came into the pit and had to lock the rears, and kind of locked all four.
"I knew it was going to be close - I think it was a mile an hour over or something. Just frustrating, I just messed up."
Dixon's Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, Swede Marcus Ericsson, eventually won, drinking milk on victory lane, as is the custom at the Indy 500.
