The 2019 IndyCar race at Pocono came under fresh criticism over the track’s safety, one year after the horrific incident of Robert Wickens.
A major crash in the 2018 IndyCar race at Pocono put Wickens out of action, with no clarity on his return and a career in racing. The incident drew criticism from almost everyone around the globe.
However, the circuit stayed on the IndyCar calendar for 2019 – although it doesnt have a contract yet for 2020. But before any decision could be made, it caused further issues with a Lap 1 incident involving five cars.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda’s Takuma Sato initiated the crash when he on the outside turned in on Andretti Autosports Honda’s Alexander Rossi, who was sandwiched with Ryan-Hunter Reay on the left.
Reay and Sato drifted across to the left and came back across to the right when Reay’s car collided with Rossi’s again, while Sato’s car hit Chip Ganassi Racing Honda’s Felix Rosenqvist, whose car flew into the fence.
Behind, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Chevrolet’s James Hinchcliffe tried to avoid Rossi but hit the wall to come to a halt. The stewards penalised the two for undertaking unapproved work on the cars under red flag.
All the drivers were taken to the medical center but were released with no issues barring Rosenqvist, who was then sent to a local hospital for further checks but IndyCar confirmed of no life-threatening injuries.
Meanwhile, majority took to social media asking for the removal of the track from the calendar and even stop the race. Leading the charge was Wickens, who urged the organisers to look into it urgently.
The race though was re-started at Pocono but after 129 laps, it was red-flagged due to rain. In the meantime, IndyCar confirmed about the release of Rosenqvist from the trauma center, following the checks.
After nearly hour an hour under red-flag, IndyCar declared the final results with Will Power scoring the win from Scott Dixon and Simon Pagenaud.
