IndyCar rookie Caio Collet suffers heavy crash in 2026 Indy 500 race

IndyCar rookie Caio Collet was involved in a horrific crash toward the end of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday afternoon with Felix Rosenqvist and Pato O’Ward battling for first place.

Collet got loose in Turn 2 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and overcorrected enough to send his car into the wall. His right butt caught fire when he skidded down the rink and fell to the grass.

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Emergency personnel came to put out the fire and help Collet out of his car.

He was able to walk away from the terrifying accident, but track officials called for a red flag. The red flag stopped the race and gave the drivers some breathing room for what would be an all-out fight during the final laps.

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Caio Collet leads the field during the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 24, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)

Collet will fall in the classification because he did not finish the race.

The AJ Foyt Racing driver was making his first Indy 500 appearance. He graduated to the NTT IndyCar Series after finishing second in the Indy NXT Series last year. Won three races in the NXT Indy Series in 2025.

The Brazilian entered the race in 21st place in the IndyCar standings with 70 points in six starts. He has yet to finish in the top 10 in his first season.

David Maluka talks with Caio Collet before practice for the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 18, 2026. (Michael Conroy/AP)

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The 2026 Indy 500 already featured more than 50 lead changes and was one of the most competitive events in recent memory.

Felix Rosenqvist won the race on the last lap.