The start of Saturday's inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis was marred by a horrifying accident involving pole sitter Sebastian Saavedra as well as rookies Carlos Munoz and Mikhail Aleshin.
Saavedra, who won Friday's qualifying to claim his first career pole position in the IndyCar Series, stalled from his grid position when the lights went out for the standing start in this 82-lap race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway's road course.
Most of the 25-car field avoided hitting Saavedra, but Munoz, who started 19th, plowed into the left rear of Saavedra's car before Mikhail Aleshin slammed right into the back of the pole sitter. Aleshin started last in this race.
Aleshin's car went on top of Saavedra's vehicle, as it spun around before coming to a rest on the front straightaway. Debris from all three cars littered the track, and some of it flew into the pit area. There were no injuries, as Saavedra, Munoz and Aleshin climbed out of their cars under their own power.
Mike Conway, who won in Long Beach, Calif. last month, sustained damage to his car from the debris and went to the garage area briefly for repairs.
Race officials had to bring the field down pit road while track personnel cleaned up the debris during the caution. The race went green after eight laps were completed around this 2.439-mile, 14-turn course.
[SportsNetwork.com]
