Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin (3) slides off the track after hitting the wall Sunday, May 25, 2025, during the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Watch: Scott McLaughlin wrecks before start of Indianapolis 500

By Clark Dalton | Last updated May 25, 2025 3:04 PM ET

Scott McLaughlin's 2025 Indianapolis 500 ended before it started.

While warming his tires before lap 1 of Sunday's race, he lost control and crashed into the inside wall before turn 1, destroying his left-front suspension.

Absolute devastation for Scott McLaughlin as he crashes on the pace laps in the #Indy500. pic.twitter.com/4eUiySkvHZ
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 25, 2025

The onboard from the No. 3 car of @smclaughlin93 pic.twitter.com/Gc9zdnPPDs
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 25, 2025

The 31-year-old New Zealander was devastated after the accident.

"I really have no idea what happened," McLaughlin told Fox Sports. "Just really upset for my team, they built me a fantastic car again.

"By far the worst moment of my life. I know it's probably dramatic, everyone's — whatever, but I put so much into this race, everyone does, and just didn't get to see the green flag."

McLaughlin was in an excellent position to win his first Indianapolis 500. He was slated to start 10th in the race. Through his first five races, he was fifth in the driver standings (137 points), had led 43 laps and had three top-five finishes.

Now, he must hope for far better luck at the 110th running of the race in May 2026.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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