Race delays because of crashes are relatively common, but it’s weird to see a delay come from the pace car crashing. That’s what happened Sunday ahead of the second race of IndyCar’s Dual in Detroit at the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, though.
The car was reportedly being driven by GM executive Mark Reuss at the time of the crash:
Now that’s embarrassing! Mark Reuss , Executive Vice President, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain for General Motors just put the pace car into the wall during the warmup lap of the Detroit Gran Prix. Ouch! #indycar #DetroitGP pic.twitter.com/IeJS8XMddj
— Tate Pearson (@TateP) June 3, 2018
The passenger-side airbag deployed, and there was a delay while the track was cleared:
When you wreck dad's car…. #detroitgp #indycar pic.twitter.com/tsiuLMd3F3
— Champweb (@champwebdotnet) June 3, 2018
Alexander Rossi’s car went through the debris and continued on, but the others stopped. So officials then sent the other cars that did stop for the crash around to equalize the fuel. With a backup pace car.
A backup pace car… with the actual pace car driver @OriolServia has been called in! #detroitgp #indycar pic.twitter.com/1C5hDuHZda
— Champweb (@champwebdotnet) June 3, 2018
And there was a further delay while tires were checked for debris damage:
We're still under delay and the drivers are parked on pit road. Crews have been permitted to head out and check on the cars. #DetroitGP
— Detroit Grand Prix (@detroitgp) June 3, 2018
The @robertwickens crew has discovered a cut in one of his tires potentially from debris. #DetroitGP
— Detroit Grand Prix (@detroitgp) June 3, 2018
The team has further inspected the tires for any leaks or bubbles and did not find and issues. @robertwickens car appears to be ok. #DetroitGP https://t.co/qceU7qsfQN
— Detroit Grand Prix (@detroitgp) June 3, 2018
That’s one of the more unusual starts to a race you’ll ever see.
[Clippit]
Of course we all make fun of the douchebag with the ridiculous job title for crashing more car than he could handle (you had one job jerkoff!). However this is on indycar. Why the HELL was some over his head Ex. VP for who the hell cares driving the pace car IN THE RACE in the first place? Oh that’s right, because GM wrote em a check. Sure hope it was worth it guys. Nice work.