Josef Newgarden survived a frightening airborne crash during Sunday’s IndyCar race at Gateway, where a collision involving Louis Foster escalated into a dramatic accident. The incident occurred on lap 130, creating a tense moment at the event as Newgarden’s car flipped after impact but left both drivers unharmed.
Details of the Incident and Immediate Response
The crash began when 21-year-old Louis Foster hit the wall twice; the second collision sent his RLL Honda spinning back onto the racing line just as Newgarden approached at full speed. Despite Newgarden’s quick effort to avoid Foster, contact was unavoidable. This collision propelled Newgarden’s car into the air, flipping it upside down before it landed hard further along the track.
A track marshal responded instantly, jumping over the barrier to assist and helping flip Newgarden’s vehicle back onto its wheels. Both drivers were taken for precautionary medical evaluations, but fortunately, neither suffered injuries and were subsequently cleared to leave the medical center.
Louis Foster’s Perspective on What Led to the Crash
While Newgarden chose not to comment on the event, Foster shared his account of the moments leading to the accident. He explained how he lost control:
“I got up behind [David] Malukas or [Santino] Ferrucci [and] got a bit of a wiggle. I was having big wiggles all race there. I just got a bit too high onto the dark stuff.”
Describing the sequence further, Foster said,
“I just got into the marbles and I was a complete passenger. At that point, I bent my toe link. I just couldn’t stop the car from spinning there.”
Reflecting on the danger, he acknowledged,
“Obviously a pretty scary impact for both myself and Josef. I’m glad he’s okay.”
Really, really annoying because we were really fast. We were really fast. It’s just a shame it had to end that way. Marbles caught me out.
—Louis Foster, Driver
Significance and Outlook After the Crash
This terrifying accident highlights the ever-present risks in IndyCar racing and the critical role of quick intervention by track marshals. With both Newgarden and Foster unharmed, the incident serves as a reminder of safety’s importance at high speeds. As the IndyCar season continues, drivers and teams will likely review this event to improve responses and avoid similar situations in the future, while fans await Newgarden’s return to racing with cautious optimism.
