Herta’s Harrowing Crash and Heroic Rebuild

Saturday’s PPG Armed Forces Qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway delivered a potent mix of peril and perseverance, highlighted by Colton Herta’s dramatic crash and the Andretti Global team’s remarkable response.

Herta’s day took a terrifying turn during his first qualifying run. The No. 26 Gainbridge Honda spun out of control in Turn 1, impacting the SAFER Barrier before flipping and sliding on its top into Turn 2.

Despite the violence of the wreck, Herta emerged unscathed, a testament to modern safety innovations. I’m fine, Herta said, acknowledging the effectiveness of the safety measures. Luckily,nowadays,these crashes look a lot scarier than they feel. Not to say that that one felt good.

The incident underscored the inherent risks of pushing the limits at IMS, while also showcasing the effectiveness of the SAFER Barrier and INDYCAR’s reinforced cockpit structures, including the aeroscreen.

The crash, which Herta described as having no real signs leading to it, initially cast serious doubt on his ability to participate in qualifying. He questioned whether Andretti Global could prepare a backup car in time for the session’s end.

Though, in a stunning display of teamwork and determination, Andretti Global’s crew rebuilt the backup car in a matter of hours, utilizing a bare chassis and the salvaged engine from the wrecked machine.

Herta returned to the track by 4:45 p.m. ET, facing 30 mph wind gusts and with no prior seat time in the rebuilt car. He managed four laps averaging 230.192 mph,securing 29th position on the grid and a spot in the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

While relieved to make the field, Herta expressed disappointment at missing the chance to contend for a higher starting position. It sucks, he said. We’re not happy just making the show. We want to fight for the pole; we want to be in the Fast 12. When we don’t get the chance to do that, it’s pretty disappointing.

Despite the frustration, Herta lauded his team’s heroic effort. I got a lot of trust in my guys, he said. This place doesn’t scare me. I don’t have a problem hitting the wall here and having big ones like today. It doesn’t feel good and it sucks, but it doesn’t scare me when I get back in the race car.

Shwartzman Shines: Rookie Makes Fast 12

Robert Shwartzman, driving the No. 83 PREMA Racing chevrolet, emerged as a standout performer, securing a spot in the Fast 12 Qualifying session.

The “500” rookie impressed with a four-lap average of 232.584 mph, placing him sixth-fastest on Saturday. this achievement followed a strong showing during Fast Friday presented by Turtle Wax,where he recorded the 13th-fastest speed.

Shwartzman’s performance is notably remarkable given that it marks his oval-racing debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He navigated a new car, a new team, and the intense pressure of Indy 500 qualifying.

I was quite nervous before the run, Shwartzman admitted. We haven’t driven in these conditions. Everything is new to me. I was like, ‘Listen, it’s one chance, it’s my first qualifying, I have to go for it.’ I floored it and went flat.

While the first two laps were smooth, tire wear in the latter half of the run tested Shwartzman’s poise. From Lap 3 on, I had some deg (wear) on the rear tires, and the car started to move, he explained. So, the last two laps honestly were on edge, and I was trying to hold on to it. I was on the limit at 240 mph – that’s crazy! It’s a new experience.

Despite feeling he could have extracted more speed, Shwartzman prioritized a clean run. I tried to take a more cautious approach, he said. If I had more experience, I would probably do a better job in the last two laps.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s final day of qualifying, Shwartzman aims to contend for a spot in the Firestone Fast Six. Obviously, we still need to do some work to catch the top guys, Shwartzman said. I want to believe that we can battle for the top six tomorrow.

Top 12 qualifying begins at 4 p.m. ET on FOX, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio Network.The qualifying order is based on Saturday’s times, slowest to fastest. Each car is guaranteed one attempt. The fastest six advance to the Firestone Fast Six that begins at 6:25 p.m. ET to determine the top two rows.

Andretti on the Bubble: Last Chance Qualifying Looms

Marco Andretti faces a tense situation, finding himself in Last Chance Qualifying after narrowly missing the cut.

Andretti’s four-lap average of 229.859 mph in the No. 98 MAPEI/Curb Honda fell just short of securing a spot, edged out by Graham Rahal’s 229.863 mph – a mere 0.004 mph difference.

I don’t know what else to do, Andretti lamented. I think tomorrow is ours to lose. We need to just not be dumb tomorrow and do four solid ones, and we should be OK. Just the fact that we’re running tomorrow is a bummer.

Last Chance Qualifying, where four drivers will compete for the final three grid positions, begins at 5:15 p.m. ET on FOX, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio network. Andretti will compete with Marcus Armstrong,Rinus VeeKay,and Jacob Abel.

Armstrong’s Rocky Road: From Crash to Last Chance

Marcus Armstrong endured a challenging Saturday, marked by a significant crash and a subsequent fight to stay in contention.

Just minutes into the morning practice,Armstrong lost control of his No. 66 SiriusXM/Root Insurance Honda in Turn 1, resulting in heavy contact with the SAFER Barrier. The car then slid into Turn 2, compounding the damage.

Armstrong was evaluated and cleared to return to the car around 2 p.m. ET.By 5 p.m., he was back on track in a hastily rebuilt backup car, utilizing the team’s road course chassis.

His first qualifying attempt was cut short after two laps. A later attempt saw improved lap times, but a significant drop-off prompted another wave-off.

It’s obviously hugely disappointing what happened this morning, Armstrong said. We had a very fast car. I think Felix (Rosenqvist) demonstrated that. I think he got the quickest lap of the day. I think him and I were pretty much the same.

Armstrong attributed the crash to challenging conditions and a setup that proved too aggressive. I don’t know why honestly I lost the car so suddenly, he said. you could argue a bunch of things. Ultimately, we put a setup on the car that we thought was going to be reasonably conservative for the conditions, but ultimately that wasn’t the case.

Odds and Ends

• Chip Ganassi Racing entered a pair of full-time INDY NXT by Firestone cars for the first time as 2007. The crew members assisted in assembling Kyffin Simpson’s backup car after his practice crash.
• INDY NXT by Firestone points leader Dennis Hauger, a Jeff Gordon fan, met Gordon during qualifying.
• Nolan Siegel qualified 26th, avoiding the heartbreak of being bumped from last year’s field.
• The No. 51 Honda for Dale Coyne Racing is in the Last Chance Qualifying session for the third consecutive year.
• Alexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter, and Christian Rasmussen ended Ed Carpenter Racing’s 12-year streak of making the pole shootout.