Simon Pagenaud will sit out qualifying for this weekend’s NTT IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio following his huge crash in practice on Saturday morning.
The 2016 series champion and 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner suffered a suspected brake failure at the end of the back straight, pitching the No. 60 Meyer Shank Honda into a series of high-velocity barrel-rolls through the gravel before finally coming to rest against the tire barriers.
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Pagenaud was quickly checked and released by IndyCar’s medical team, but has not been cleared to return to the cockpit today. A further evaluation on Sunday morning will determine whether he will be able to play any further part in the weekend.
“Following this morning’s incident at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the driver of the No. 60, Simon Pagenaud, was evaluated and released by the IndyCar medical team,” read a statement issued by the series. “As per IndyCar protocol, Pagenaud has not been cleared to return to racing today. He will be re-evaluated tomorrow morning.’
Pagenaud is a previous winner at Mid-Ohio, claiming victory from pole en route to winning the title in 2016, and also finished on the podium in 2012 and 2015.
