Scott McLaughlin climbed away from a high-speed crash at Barber after crashing backwards through a barrier in IndyCar practice.
Towards the end of the second practice at the Alabama road course, McLaughlin dipped the right-rear wheel into the grass on approach for Turn 1, and was spat at speed backwards towards the barriers.
Bracing himself for the impact, the New Zealander's Penske Chevrolet machine skipped up off the gravel and was launched through the barrier, including the chain-link fencing.
Fortunately, he was uninjured as recovery crews then worked to extricate the car from the barriers.
"I knew I was done, I dropped the right rear and spun, so I just tried to brace myself a little bit," McLaughlin told Fox Sports after a visit to the medical centre.
"The crash looked a lot worse than it felt, and I'm gutted for the team, but I feel like we can get this thing fixed and go ship it again, and go for pole.
"I dropped the right rear, and I was flying backwards, and then I ended up halfway through the fence, so I'm upset for the team, but the way it slipped through the barriers, it might be okay.
"It was a little misjudgement, I was just trying to open the apex for Turn 1, but it is not a laughing matter, it is a mistake, and I need to be better, so hopefully we can get back out there and be good."
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