News Summary
- Scott McLaughlin’s airborne Barber crash leads our ranking after damaging the circuit’s safety fence
- Indianapolis produced major accidents involving Newgarden, Caio Collet, Alexander Rossi and Pato O’Ward
- Despite the severity of several impacts, every driver involved escaped life-threatening injury
The 2026 IndyCar season featured heavy impacts on high-speed ovals, unforgiving street circuits and permanent road courses.
With the campaign now complete, GRANDE PRÊMIO ranks its ten biggest crashes — judging each incident by its violence, unusual circumstances and consequences rather than celebrating the danger involved.
10. Scott Dixon and Alexander Rossi collide at Nashville
Alexander Rossi slowed abruptly on the straight as he prepared to enter the pits during the Nashville race. Scott Dixon had little time to react and struck the Ed Carpenter Racing driver from behind.
It was an unusual accident caused by the considerable speed difference between the two cars, leaving Dixon with virtually nowhere to go.
9. Josef Newgarden crashes during the Indianapolis 500
Josef Newgarden was running competitively when he moved onto the inside of the circuit during a restart. That section remained damp following the drizzle that had interrupted the Indianapolis 500.
Newgarden lost control and hit the wall heavily. The resulting injury continued to affect the Penske driver during the remainder of the season.
8. Mick Schumacher, Sting Ray Robb and Santino Ferrucci tangle
Mick Schumacher’s IndyCar debut at St Petersburg lasted less than one lap.
The German became caught in an incident involving Sting Ray Robb and Santino Ferrucci at the end of the back straight. Although the impact was not among the season’s fastest, Schumacher sustained a wrist injury.
7. Will Power hits the wall in Phoenix qualifying
Will Power lost control of his Andretti car during qualifying at Phoenix and struck the oval’s outside wall.
The impact caused a stoppage and became the most significant of several accidents endured by the Australian during a difficult 2026 campaign.
6. David Malukas and Sting Ray Robb collide in Washington
David Malukas crashed heavily during the Washington race before Robb arrived at the scene and struck his car.
The accident brought a painful end to a highly anticipated event for Malukas, who later acknowledged that his performances had fallen below expectations.
5. Louis Foster goes from pole position to the wall
Louis Foster delivered an impressive performance to secure pole for the Markham round and remained competitive during the opening phase of the race.
His afternoon unravelled when an attempted pass on Marcus Ericsson ended with Foster hitting the wall heavily.
4. Malukas taken to hospital after Nashville practice crash
Malukas was also involved in a frightening accident during opening practice in Nashville.
He was taken to a local hospital for further examinations and initially ruled out of qualifying. After receiving clearance to return, however, Malukas recovered to finish the race in third place.
3. Caio Collet crashes out of the Indianapolis 500
Caio Collet was running ninth during the closing stages of the Indianapolis 500 when he lost control and struck the protective barrier.
The impact caused flames to appear around the Foyt car and brought out the red flag. The Brazilian took several moments to emerge but eventually climbed out without assistance.
2. Rossi, Pato O’Ward and Romain Grosjean crash at Indianapolis
The first major accident of Indianapolis practice involved Rossi and Pato O’Ward, who both hit the wall before Romain Grosjean was unable to avoid the incident.
Rossi sustained fractures to his hand and leg, requiring surgery. Despite those injuries, he recovered sufficiently to participate in the Indianapolis 500.
1. Scott McLaughlin tears through the Barber safety fence
The most dramatic accident came during second practice at Barber Motorsports Park.
McLaughlin lost control at Turn 1 after his car encountered a bump and became airborne. The Penske struck the protective fence with enough force to bring part of the structure down, forcing officials to end the session early.
It was the season’s most visually alarming impact and required circuit workers to repair the damaged barrier before track activity could resume.
