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IndyCar rookie Caio Collet was involved in a scary crash toward the end of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday afternoon, with Felix Rosenqvist and Pato O’Ward battling 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 slid down the track and onto the grass.
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Caio Collet drives a Combitrans AJ Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet through turn three during Miller Lite Carb Day practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., on May 22, 2026. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)
Emergency crews came over to put out the fire and help Collet out of his car.
He was able to walk away from the terrifying wreckage, but track officials called for a red flag. The red flag stopped the race and gave the drivers a breather for what would be an all-out shootout for the final few laps.
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Caio Collet leads the field during the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 24, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)
Collet will drop down the rankings as he did not finish the race.
The AJ Foyt Racing driver made his first appearance in the Indy 500. He graduated to the NTT IndyCar Series after finishing second in the Indy NXT Series last year. He won three races on the 2025 Indy NXT Series.
The Brazilian entered the race 21st in the IndyCar standings with 70 points through 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 Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 18, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)
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The 2026 Indy 500 already featured more than 50 lead changes and was one of the more competitive events in recent memory.
Felix Rosenqvist won the race on the last lap.
