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Video: Simon Pagenaud Barrel Rolls Indy Car Several Times at Mid-Ohio

Mike Pryson
·1 min read
simon pagenaud crash midohio
Video: Pagenaud Barrel Rolls Indy Car at Mid-OhioPenske Entertainment/Travis Hinkle

Meyer Shank Racing driver Simon Pagenaud escaped serious injury in a crash on Saturday that the 2016 IndyCar champion called, "the wildest" of his career.

Pagenaud lost control of his car following brake failure at the end of a 180-mph straightaway during a Saturday morning practice session and barrel rolled through gravel.

IndyCar issued the following statement after Pagenaud left the infield care center:

Following this morning’s incident at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the driver of the No. 60, Simon Pagenaud, was evaluated and released by the INDYCAR medical team. As per INDYCAR protocol, Pagenaud has not been cleared to return to racing today. He will be re-evaluated tomorrow morning.

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The 39-year-old Pagenaud appeared a bit shaken but okay after the incident. He was asked by NBC TV about his thoughts as he could feel the car slipping away.

"It's gonna hurt, it's gonna hurt," Pagenaud said. "It was a hell of a ride or sure. Something broke and I couldn't slow down. I tried to make the corner anyways. I know that gravel is deadly. Michael Andretti has done it. I guess I'm joining another legend, so that's cool.

"I was just trying to bail out. Basically the car took off, I hit the gravel and it just rolled. Definitely the wildest. Funny thing, my first crash was actually the exact same circumstances."