IndyCar's Detroit Grand Prix on Sunday lived up to its reputation of being chaotic. The race saw multiple crashes and cautions, and the one that took center stage was the crash between Scott McLaughlin and Will Power that caught everyone's attention. 

The two former Team Penske teammates were battling it out for the final place on the podium on Lap 77 of 100. Unfortunately, they came together while exiting Turn 3. McLaughlin, who took the inside line of the hairpin, squeezed Power into the wall and momentarily left the Andretti Global driver in the air.

A few laps later, Power, who started the race second, had to retire with damage to his No. 26 Honda. In the pit lane, he was visibly upset and uttered profanity into FOX's broadcasting camera. Meanwhile, Scott McLaughlin, who eventually finished 19th, spoke about the crash post-race.

In an interaction with Bob Pockrass, he said, "We were side by side at 3, and I got like a little sideways, which made me press him to the wall a lot more aggressively than I wanted. I didn’t want to do that to him, I didn’t want to do that to my day."

McLaughlin then shared how good a relationship he has with Power, having been IndyCar teammates at Team Penske between 2021 and 2025.

"I don't know, we’ll talk about it. I’ve got so much respect for Will Power; he’s been my teammate for so many years and helped me so much.” McLaughlin added further. 

Power started the race on the front row and finished the race in 22nd place. McLaughlin started the race in third and finished in 19th place, four laps down on the race winner, Alex Palou.

Will Power Expresses His Frustration After the Crash in Detroit

Will Power was out of the race on lap 79 after his No. 26 Honda suffered suspension damage. What could have been his first IndyCar win with Andretti Global turned into another heartbreak.

"It was a disappointing race to say the least," Power said post-race (via Motorsport.com). "We were in a good position there near the end and had a shot at a podium. Unfortunately, the contact caused suspension damage, and that was it. It’s frustrating, but I have no doubt that our time on the top step of the podium is coming soon.” 

The two-time IndyCar champion had his best qualifying of the season so far with his new team. Before the contact, Will Power looked strong throughout the race, leading 18 of the 79 laps he drove.

So far this season, Power has stood on the podium only once at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, where he started the race in fourth and finished third.

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yask Kotak