Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) puts in ear protection Wednesday, May 13, 2026, during practice for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

May 26, 2026, 4:43 AM CUT

Josef Newgarden Breaks Silence on Foot Injury After Hard Indy 500 Crash

The 110th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday saw a lot of notable crashes throughout the race. One of them was that of two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden.

During the race restart on Lap 125, Newgarden spun out after cutting it too close to turn 4 and went over the rumble strip. He hit the outside wall, and the hard crash left him with a foot injury.

However, that wasn't apparent on the broadcast immediately because he walked away from the incident, refusing the stretcher brought out by the medical team.

At the Indy 500 victory celebrations held on Monday evening, the two-time IndyCar Champion was seen walking the red carpet with a walking boot on his left leg. When asked about how long till the boot comes off, Newgarden replied:

"Until the cosmetics are complete, pretty much."

Newgarden confirmed that the injury wouldn't disrupt his 2026 IndyCar campaign, and he will compete in the Detroit GP this weekend.

Soon after his crash, the No. 2 Team Penske driver was taken to the care center, where he was seen icing his foot. He was released from the IMS infield medical unit later in the day.

Before the accident, the Team Penske driver showed amazing pace and looked like he could compete for a win. He started the race in 23rd place and got as high as fourth place before his crash.

The 35-year-old American driver has not had the best of luck in the Indy 500 for the last two years. During 2025's race, he was forced to end his day early after a fuel pump issue on his No. 2 Team Penske Chevy.

While talking to the media about this year's effort, Newgarden said, "I just wish I was in the fight at the end. It looked fun. They had a great race going, and it would've been amazing to be a part of that."

He won two consecutive Indy 500s in 2023 and 2024 and became the first driver to do so since Helio Castroneves in 2001-02. Besides Josef Newgarden's crash, another crash that made huge headlines was that of Katherine Legge.

Katherine Legge’s Double Duty Dream Ends After Just 18 Laps At Indy 500

Katherine Legge was all set to make history as she set out to attempt the Double Duty, which is when a driver attempts to complete all 1100 miles of racing in the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing driver Katherine Legge (11) looks out from her pit box Friday, May 15, 2026, during Fast Friday practice ahead of the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

However, her Indy 500 ended just 18 laps in. Coming out of turn 2, Ryan Hunter-Reay lost control of his Arrow McLaren. Legge, who was running behind him, while attempting to avoid RHR, swerved left, spun, and hit the infield fence.

The HMD Motorsports with AJ Foyt Racing driver spoke about the incident, saying, "Desperately frustrating. To be taken out by something not in your control, it would be slightly better to be taken out by something in your control. We were looking forward to a long day, 1,100 miles."

Luck did not seem to be on her side on Sunday. During her attempt at NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, she finished the race in 31st place after the event was shortened due to rain.

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yask Kotak