Indy 500 Pole winner Robert Shwartzman fell in Crew members on the Pit Road

Indianapolis 500 Rookie Robert Shwartzman's unforgettable month of May ended with a terrible crash on the pit road.

Shwartzman, who defeated some of the best drivers in the world to win the Pole a week earlier, came to his booth after 87 laps when he locked his brakes. This sent his red, green and white car – the colors of the flag of Italy, where Prema Racing is based – in four of his crew members, one of whom had to be taken away on a stretcher.

The damage caused by the wreck was sufficient to end their hopes, to end the “greatest spectacle in the race”.

Robert Shwartzman, driver of the #83 Prema Racing Chevrolet, crossed his pit stop and fell against several members of his pit crew. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

“To be honest, I felt really strange brakes when I came slowly in the pit lane. I locked up both front tires, which is usually not the case,” said Shwartzman. “I was not sure whether it was the brakes or because the tires were cold. I tried to be very slow. But as soon as I touched my brakes, my whole front was lost and I went straight to the boys.

“It was really scary,” said Shwartzman, “because at the moment I was only a passenger.”

Shwartzman was among many new drivers and veterans who had massive problems during the race, which was won by Alex Palou after a late route pass by Marcus Ericsson for the lead.

Alexander Rossi's day ended when a fire broke out under his car. Rinus Veekay lost his brakes when he entered the Pit Road and sent him a turn on the narrow lane. Colton Herta was accelerated and had to absorb a passage penalty.

But none of the problems was as dramatic as the rookie with dual Israeli and Russian nationality.

Shwartzman had conquered the public's imagination with its breathtaking pole award winner for Prema Racing, a mighty European team, but an Indy 500 newcomer. He was the first beginner to have won the pole since 1983, and then used the platform, which passionately made it possible for him a passionate plea for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine.

“It's just really sad,” said Shwartzman, “because we did such good work in qualifying. But it is the Indy 500. Everything can happen. Many strong drivers are from the race or behind it. This is the Indy 500.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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