Cold tires, temperatures plague Indy 500 drivers as crashes litter speedway
Drivers Scott McLaughlin and Marco Andretti both crashed soon after the start of the Indy 500 on Sunday. Cooler temperatures can negatively impact tire grip and handling.
All systems 'go' for iconic Indy 500 race this Sunday
FOX News Chief Meteorologist Rick Reichmuth reports live with a check of the forecast from a bustling Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the eve of Sunday's Indianapolis 500 race.
INDIANAPOLIS—As drivers started their engines at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500 on Sunday, the colder temperatures and rain caused chaos on the track and in the pit lanes.
Two drivers ended their races early with crashes after a rain delay led to a late start to the 109th Indy 500. Temperatures in Indianapolis were in the low 60s Sunday afternoon.
Scott McLaughlin #3 of Team Penske Chevrolet during the NTT IndyCar Series 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Phillip G. Abbott/Lumen via Getty Images)
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Scott McLaughlin's race was over before it even began when he spun out during pace laps on the track.
Marco Andretti in the No. 98 car was out of the race after his 20th start when he crashed soon after the green flag.
FOX Sports Motorsports Reporter Bob Pockrass spoke to both drivers after their untimely exits.
McLaughlin said it was "the worst moment of my life," adding he wasn't sure if "a little bit of moisture" played a role in the crash.
FOX Sports commentators remarked that cooler temperatures were a possible factor in the early crashes.
Tire temperatures, both hot and cold, can impact the tire grip on the track. In cooler temperatures, tires have less grip, which negatively impacts handling.
Cold temperatures continued to be problematic for drivers and their crews a quarter of the way through the race.
Due to light rain, pit crews faced yellow flag conditions on Sunday, with a near miss as drivers peeled out of pit stops, according to FOX Sports.
![Scott McLaughlin (#3 Team Penske Chevrolet) run crunches his race car against pit wall at the end of the front straightaway with one lap to go before the initial green flag to start the Sunday, May 25, 2025, 109th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.]()
Image 1 of 5Scott McLaughlin (#3 Team Penske Chevrolet) run crunches his race car against pit wall at the end of the front straightaway with one lap to go before the initial green flag to start the Sunday, May 25, 2025, 109th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. (Photo by David Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) ( )
![Marco Andretti, driver of the #98 MAPEI / Curb Honda, crashes during the NTT IndyCar Series109th Running Of The Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.]()
Image 2 of 5Marco Andretti, driver of the #98 MAPEI / Curb Honda, crashes during the NTT IndyCar Series109th Running Of The Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) ( )
![Scott McLaughlin #3 of Team Penske Chevrolet during the NTT IndyCar Series 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.]()
Image 3 of 5Scott McLaughlin #3 of Team Penske Chevrolet during the NTT IndyCar Series 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Phillip G. Abbott/Lumen via Getty Images) ( )
![Air dryers during rain delay during the NTT IndyCar Series 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Phillip G. Abbott/Lumen via Getty Images)]()
Image 4 of 5Air dryers during rain delay during the NTT IndyCar Series 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Phillip G. Abbott/Lumen via Getty Images) (Phillip G. Abbott/Lumen/Getty)
![Robert Shwartzman #83 of PREMA Racing Chevrolet, Takuma Sato #75 of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, Pato O'Ward #5 of Arrow McLaren Chevrolet during the NTT IndyCar Series 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.]()
Image 5 of 5Robert Shwartzman #83 of PREMA Racing Chevrolet, Takuma Sato #75 of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, Pato O'Ward #5 of Arrow McLaren Chevrolet during the NTT IndyCar Series 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brandon Badraoui/Lumen via Getty Images) ( )
A sold-out crowd of 350,000 fans converged on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," solidifying its status as one of the world's largest single-day sporting events.