IndyCar rookie Caio Collet suffers serious crash during 2026 Indy 500 race

IndyCar rookie Caio Collet was involved in a horrific crash near the end of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday afternoon as Felix Rosenqvist and Pato O’Ward battled for first place.

Collet got loose in Turn 2 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and overcorrected just enough to send his vehicle into the wall. His right rear caught fire as he skidded across the track and onto the grass.

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Emergency services came to put out the fire and help Collet get out of his car.

He managed to walk away from the scary wreck, but track officials raised a red flag. The red flag stopped the race and gave the drivers a break for what was going to be an all-out shootout in the final laps.

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Caio Collet leads the field during the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 24, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)

Collet will fall in the standings because he did not finish the race.

The AJ Foyt Racing driver was making his first appearance in the Indy 500. He graduated to the NTT IndyCar Series after finishing second in the NXT Indy Series last year. He won three Indy NXT Series races in 2025.

The Brazilian entered the race in 21st place in the IndyCar standings with 70 points from six starts. He has yet to finish in the top 10 in his first season.

David Maluka talks with Caio Collet before practice for the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 18, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)

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The 2026 Indy 500 has already featured more than 50 lead changes and has been one of the most competitive events in recent memory.

Felix Rosenqvist won the race on the last lap.