Fox Sports
In 2025, Team Penske IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin suffered perhaps the low point of his career when he crashed before even taking the green flag of the legendary Indianapolis 500.
The moment quickly went viral, and all McLaughlin could do was look on in agony as the safety crew removed his damaged car from the infield.
On Saturday, McLaughlin suffered a moment that may well rival the one Indy, although it could well have been far, far worse.
A HUGE moment for Scott McLaughlin as he goes through the fence in Barber practice. He’s okay. pic.twitter.com/WIoQO2FiTM
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) March 28, 2026
Scott McLaughlin Goes Flying Through Catch Fence During IndyCar Practice
During a practice session for Sunday’s race at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, McLaughlin made a slight mistake that caused one of his right-side tires to go off the track and onto the grass.
As a result, McLaughlin’s car snapped sideways as he hit the brakes and went flying first into the grass, then in the sand trap meant to slow down cars before they hit the wall behind it.
However, McLaugh’s car skidded off the grass and up over the sand, as well as the wall, and instead hit the fencing attached to the wall.
Typically, the fencing would stop the car and prevent it from going any further. However, due to the angle that McLaughlin’s car hit the fence, it actually ripped halfway through the fencing and very nearly out the other side.
Somehow, McLaughlin not only survived but was able to walk away almost entirely unharmed.
So glad the car didn’t turn or flip when it went caught air. #IndyCar #IndyBHM pic.twitter.com/UzcqEB6tK9
— Matt Archuleta (@indy44) March 28, 2026
“Look, I knew I was done (once) I dropped the right rear and spun,” McLaughlin said of the crash. “(I) Sort of just tried to brace myself a little bit, but yeah, I think the crash looked a lot worse than it felt. I’m gutted for my Odyssey Battery, guys, but I had a look at the car. Honestly, I feel like we can get this thing fixed, and I can go ship it again, so I just want to go out and go for pole.”
McLaughlin eventually had to go to a backup car and qualified in 14th position for Sunday’s race.