There was a crash before today's IndyCar race even started. But instead of something like the crash Roberto Guerrero had on the pace lap at Indy or the start of the first US 500, this crash was the pace car itself.

The Corvette ZR1 was the pace car for this weekend's Detroit IndyCar Grand Prix. Mark Reuss, GM's top product development exec and a huge race fan and proponent of motorsports, was driving the car on the pace laps when it went wrong. This is one of the weirdest things we've seen at a race in a long time.

Reuss appears to be ok, and the race will start after this is cleaned up, but Oriol Servia will be driving the pace car.

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OH WOW. The pace car has crashed. #DetroitGP pic.twitter.com/2YFdExRVWV — IndyCar on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) June 3, 2018

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At the conclusion of the race, Chevrolet issued the following statement about the pace car crash:

We are thankful that there were no serious injuries. Both the pace car driver and the series official were taken to the infield care center, where they were checked, cleared and released.

It is unfortunate that this incident happened. Many factors contributed, including weather and track conditions. The car’s safety systems performed as expected

It rained earlier in the day, but weather at race start was 70 and sunny. The track was dry.



Update: Mark Reuss said the following on Facebook about the crash (via NBC Sports)

I want to thank you all for your well wishes today. I am ok. I have driven this course many many many times. I have paced this race in the wet, cold, hot, and calm. On Z06’s, Grand Sports, and other things.

It is never a casual thing for me, but an honor to be asked. Today I let down my friends, my family, IndyCar, our city and my company. Sorry does not describe it. I want to thank our engineers for providing me the safety I know is the best in the world.

Reuss's own statement is far better than the one GM issued, which bordered on being a joke. It should also be noted that Reuss has driven the pace car for this event on numerous occasions without incident.

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