Indy 500: Devastating crash derails Scott Dixon, Jay Howard

Indy 500 poll holder Scott Dixon took part in a horrific crash that could have been a lot worse.

On turn 1, about 50 laps into the 2017 Indy 500, Jay Howard caught the edge of Scott Dixon’s vehicle and sent him flying to the barriers.

Dixon went approximately 10 feet in the air, which is nearly unheard of in racing. Dixon’s car flipped multiple times before stopping. Both racers walked away without much injury, which speaks to the amazing safety measures taken by IndyCar racing.

The red flag came out immediately following the horrifying incident.

Many of the racers had things to say after watching the crash from the track.

Helio Castroneves said: “Wow that was close. I’m gonna have to change my pants now!”

The crew of Ed Carpenter noted that there was “ everywhere up here.” Debris was all across the crash as Dixon’s car broke apart.

Marco Andretti, who is no stranger to crashes himself said, “that crash leaves me shaking.”

Scott Dixon went into the safety fencing at such a high velocity that he left a hole in it. Jay Howard’s totaled IndyCar could be seen being towed off the track in pieces.

Here’s a look at the incident from the camera in Dixon’s cockpit:

Following the incident, Jay Howard spoke with ABC and was visibly disappointed that his Indy500 ended with a crash.

Dixon, who won the race in 2008, hoped to retain that glory. He was the pole sitter for the race, but things went sour early on. He lost the lead to early mover Tony Kanaan in the first 20 laps. This crash caps off a tough race for one of the most storied racers in history. Before the race, he was one of the favorites and now he is simply lucky to be alive.

This is one of the most devastating crashes in recent Indy 500 history and it is amazing that both drivers walked away from the incident.