Colton Herta has a mountain to climb at this year’s Indianapolis 500 after a dramatic crash during the opening round of qualifying. As Herta received the green flag and entered Turn 1 on the preferred racing line, the rear end of his No. 26 Gainbridge Honda snapped loose on exit. The car shot into the outside wall at full speed, flipped upside down, and skidded along the barrier until midway through Turn 2.
The wreck left the car completely destroyed, and Andretti Global was immediately thrust into crisis mode. For the team, the scene was an unsettling echo of 2022, when Herta crashed on Carb Day and was forced into a backup car for race day—ultimately finishing 30th.
However this time, Andretti appeared far better prepared. The team had already prepped a spare speedway car, a lesson learned not just from Herta’s past crash but also from Marcus Ericsson’s incident during practice last year, which forced him into a backup and a spot in the Last Row Shootout.
As soon as Herta’s wrecked car returned to the garage, the Andretti crew sprang into action. Though the backup had received less attention than the primary, it was in strong enough shape to become a viable replacement. The biggest logistical hurdle was the engine. IndyCar teams are allotted a limited number of engines per season, and installing a new one would incur significant penalties. So, the team had to transplant the engine from the crashed car into the new chassis.
Remarkably, just over four hours after the crash, a fully rebuilt No. 26 Gainbridge Honda was rolling down Gasoline Alley. The team’s effort drew astonishment from the paddock, with many commenting they’d never seen a car rebuilt so quickly.
When Herta returned to the track, all eyes were on whether the crash would rattle him—and how fast the backup car would be. He answered both questions emphatically. Herta posted a four-lap average of 230.192 mph, locking in the 29th starting position (which improved to 27th after adjustments involving the No. 2 and No. 12 entries).
Attention now turns to race trim. As history has shown—like Josef Newgarden’s win from 17th last year—qualifying speed doesn’t always dictate race performance. The key for Herta will be how his car handles in traffic, especially in the turbulent “dirty air” of the pack. Post-qualifying practice sessions are critical for dialing in this setup.
Only one driver has ever won the Indy 500 from the 27th starting position: Fred Frame in 1932. Two others—Ray Harroun in 1911 and Louis Meyer in 1936—won from 28th. It’s a long shot, but not impossible.
Herta, known for his confidence and composure, remains optimistic. He’s repeatedly said the backup car feels strong and believes he can charge through the field. Keep an eye on the No. 26 Honda—Colton Herta may still have something to say in Sunday’s race.
written by Drew Allison / Media Credit: Peske Entertainment
