The Scott Dixon crash during the 2017 Indianapolis 500 certainly dominated world headlines and for good reason. It is one of the worst wrecks we have ever seen and Dixon walked away, likely a little sore but well enough to do a post calamity interview.
This is one of those worst case scenarios that racers dread. Another competitor had a problem, nerfed the wall and delivered himself directly to Dixon’s doorstep as he was traveling at more than 220mph. Like an Evel Knievel launch ramp, Dixon’s car climbed up and over the car of the wounded competitor and flew. It flew so high that eventual race runner up Helio Castroneves was able to DRIVE UNDER HIM to safety.
Every sanctioning body likes to talk about the safety of their vehicles and while it is impossible to rank them because the jobs are so different, this is clearly a case of rules being up to spec and in the best interest of the driver. Why? As we already told you, Scott Dixon walked away.
Open wheel racing presents hazards that other forms do not. The width of the cars turns them into a huge wing as soon as any air is under them. Unlike a dragster which tends to fly apart when airborne or a stock car that has been equipped with all kinds of flaps to keep it Earthbound, this Indy Car was an airplane for an incredible amount of time.
We’re glad Dixon lived to tell the tale and can only marvel at his calm and cool demeanor when speaking with Dr. Jerry Punch after the dust settled. As you’d expect, his car was completely and utterly annihilated.
After this incident a big crash, is the scott dixon still aive ?