IndyCar Series crashes at Texas Motor Speedway PPG 375

Two Indianapolis 500 winners suffer damaging hits early in the PPG 375 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Two-time champ Takuma Sato got too high while racing three-wide in Turn 2 on his 47th lap, initially hitting the outside wall before careening toward the inside barrier, where he made heavy contact. He was unhurt.

The field used the caution period to make pit stops, where 2016 Indy 500 champ Alexander Rossi and second-year IndyCar driver Kyle Kirkwood made contact. Rossi was leaving his pit stall as Kirkwood entered his.

The NBC broadcast crew said the crash was Kirkwood's fault for turning sharply from the right (faster, not transition) lane, but Rossi was penalized for an early release from his pit stall.

Kirkwood retired from the race before the halfway point with a reported problem with a right rear wheel bearing. He told NBC that he hoped to get the car repaired and return to the track.

Rossi continued but was several laps behind.

Pole-sitter Felix Rosenqvist completed 177 laps before making contact. He was unhurt.

Rookie Sting Ray Robb brushed the outside wall before careening into the inside barrier with about 40 laps remaining. He walked away from his crashed car.

Devlin DeFrancesco crashed with about 27 laps left and his car crossed toward the outside of the track. Graham Rahal ran over the top of DeFrancesco then crashed into the wall. Both drivers are able to exit their cars on their own.

Romain Grosjean, racing fifth but within 1 second of the lead with less than 4 laps to go, crashed, effectively ending the race. Josef Newgarden won.

Takuma Sato contact

Alexander Rossi, Kyle Kirkwood contact

Felix Rosenqvist crash

Sting Ray Robb crash

Devlin DeFrancesco, Graham Rahal crash

Romain Grosjean crash

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar Series crashes at Texas Motor Speedway PPG 375