Josef Newgarden was involved in a frightening crash during Sunday’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. The Team Penske driver went airborne and flipped upside down after slamming into the spinning car of rookie Louis Foster on lap 131.
The crash happened at high speed on the front stretch and brought a scary moment to what had been a strong race for Newgarden. The incident began when Foster, driving the No. 45 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, lost control in turn 4.
Scary Crash Ends Josef Newgarden’s Race at World Wide Technology Raceway
Running behind Santino Ferrucci, Foster’s car washed up into the wall and then slid down across the track, unable to stop. Just seconds later, Newgarden came upon the wreck while trailing Rinus VeeKay. With little time to react, he tried to move low to avoid the spinning car but crashed straight into Foster as it bounced off the inside wall.
The impact sent Newgarden’s car flying into the air and flipping over. His car landed upside-down and slid along the front stretch, throwing sparks until it came to rest near the start-finish line. Despite the heavy impact, both drivers walked away from the crash. They were checked and released from the infield care center.
Newgarden had started in fifth place after qualifying at 178.91 mph on Saturday, June 14, behind both of his teammates who locked out the front row. A clip of the violent crash was shared by the official IndyCar on FOX’s X handle.
An on-board look from Josef Newgarden’s No. 2 after contact with Louis Foster. pic.twitter.com/s7vVzjtppW
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) June 16, 2025
Newgarden declined to speak after the race. Before the crash, he had been in a solid position after passing his Penske teammate, Scott McLaughlin.
Louis Foster ‘Glad’ to See Newgarden Was ‘OK’ After the Crash
After the crash that sent Newgarden upside-down at Gateway, rookie Louis Foster shared his thoughts and said he was relieved to see that Newgarden was not hurt. Foster explained that he lost control after getting too high on the track and into the marbles, loose rubber pieces on the track.
“Just got a bit too high on to the dark stuff. I had a wiggle and then I just got into the marbles and was a complete passenger,” Foster shared via FOX Sports. “At that point [I hit the wall], I bent my toe link. I just couldn’t stop the car from spinning there. Obviously, a pretty scary impact for myself and Josef. I’m glad he’s OK.”
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The crash made Foster and Newgarden the second and third drivers to drop out of the race, after Will Power’s early exit.
Newgarden was listed in 25th place, while Foster finished 26th. Both drivers have had a tough season so far, as the former entered the race 14th in the standings, while Foster was in 24th.