Newgarden escapes airborne crash uninjured

INDIANAPOLIS - There was another airborne accident at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. During 'Happy Hour' Thursday, Josef Newgarden spun and slammed the wall at the exit of the first corner. The car went airborne after hitting with the nose, followed by the left rear.

The Chevrolet flipped completely over and slid on its side through the short chute before coming to rest the same way. Newgarden emerged from the wreckage under his own power and has been checked, cleared and released from the infield medical center. He had gone as fast as 224.023mph at the time of the impact.

Newgarden comments

"I'm still trying to gather my thoughts from it but it went around real quick in turn one," said Newgarden upon leaving the infield medical center. "It defnitely surprised me. I'm just lucky (that) everything's good. The tub held up, so I just want to get back with my guys and see what the damage is - I'm sure it's bad."

"I don't know what to think of it. We were just going out there for a run and it was a pretty crazy hit," said the CFHR driver. "I don't think there's any concern right now but I haven't even talked to my guys yet, so I'm not sure."

"I was pretty impressed by the hit, it was a hard hit. I feel fine. I hit my hand a little bit and I think I got a bruise, but other than that, I'm fine. We make these cars as safe as we can ... I feel very safe in them. We're always looking for more, but i think they're about as safe as we can make them right now."