Colton Herta narrowly escaped an air crash during the final Indianapolis 500 exercise; Fastest Tony Kanaan on Carb Day

INDIANAPOLIS – Colton Herta finally rolled his Indianapolis 500 during his final practice session on Friday. Andretti Autosport’s star driver was unhurt in the most serious crash during the construction of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

“I think I went a little too fast for that corner,” Herta said.

The collision with 25 minutes remaining on Carb Day destroyed the Honda Andretti, and Herta will need a backup vehicle for Sunday’s race. He also blew up an engine in qualifying and will start 25th in whatever car Andretti can get ready for race day.

“A bit sad for that race car,” Herta said when asked how he felt after getting out of the in-house care center.

The 22-year-old driver from California was speaking on team radio while his car was still rolling. When the incident stopped, his father, Bryan, called Herta to stay and stay until the emergency team was able to free him from the car.

His father, his race strategist, immediately went to the Andretti garage to supervise preparations on the backup car.

“Thanks for so many things,” Colton Herta said. “I guess the aeroscreen is part of that. So is the safety team, and I guess it’s just the durability of the shell on top of the car’s side structure. It was a big blow from the side. Yes, the safety team. Toan was there very quickly flip me back.”

Before in fact, David Malukas crashed after coming into contact with Santino Ferrucci. Malukas, 20, is the youngest rider in the field. Ferrucci was penalized for the inevitable collision.

“Probably one of the biggest hits I feel,” Malukas said. “I came out with only a small bruise.”

Herta scored her first win of the IndyCar season earlier this month with a fun drive in the rain on the road inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Last year, Herta made it through to the second qualifying round, starting at the top and leading 13 rounds before the tactic was counter-attacked and he faded to a disappointing 16th place.

He said Friday’s practice session was about “rebalancing the last small pieces.”

That is until the crash.

“I’m not too worried about the race,” Herta said. “I think the car will be fine.”

Tony Kanaan and Marcus Ericsson Lead practice for Chip Ganassi Racing. Scott Dixonpole keeper, third fastest and seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson ranked seventh because Ganassi has four cars in the top seven. Alex Paloureigning IndyCar champion, 14th and the slowest of the Ganassi group.

“We’ve had a good car all month. We don’t go out and [say] be fastest on Carb Day, “Kanaan, 2013 Indy 500 Champion.” It doesn’t count, doesn’t mean anything. It’s the result of a good car we’ve had all month. You look at your teammates, they’re all there. “

Johnson has been everywhere this month, from racetracks to late-night talk shows as he gears up for his first Indy 500. He was at Indy last season on NBC Sports coverage.

“I wanted to experience it all,” Johnson said. “It’s great.”