IndyCar Rookie Caio Collet Escapes After Fiery Indianapolis 500 Crash

During the thrilling Indianapolis 500 on Sunday afternoon, rookie Caio Collet was involved in a dramatic crash as he competed for the first time in the renowned race. The incident occurred at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with Felix Rosenqvist and Pato O’Ward contending for the lead.

Collet lost control of his vehicle in Turn 2 and overcorrected, leading to an impact with the wall. The crash resulted in his car catching fire as it skidded across the track and onto the grass.

Caio Collet drives a Combitrans AJ Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet through turn three during practice on Miller Lite Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 22, 2026. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)

Emergency personnel quickly responded, extinguishing the flames and assisting Collet out of the car. Despite the frightening incident, Collet managed to walk away safely. As a precaution, race officials issued a red flag to halt the race, allowing drivers a short break before resuming competition for the final laps.

Caio Collet’s endeavor was cut short as he did not finish the race, dropping his position on the leaderboard. The A.J. Foyt Racing team member was participating in the Indy 500 for the first time after progressing from the Indy NXT Series last year, where he claimed three victories and finished second overall.

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

Prior to the race, the Brazilian driver stood at 21st place in the IndyCar standings, with 70 points accumulated across six starts. He has yet to secure a top-10 finish in his debut season.

The 2026 Indianapolis 500 was marked by over 50 lead changes, showcasing intense competition. Felix Rosenqvist emerged victorious in the final lap, sealing his win in a nail-biting conclusion.