Chaos Erupts In Indy 500 Pit Road As Car Catches Fire

IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi, who hopes to win the Indianapolis 500, was crushed as his car caught fire on pit row.

After leading in the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, Alex Rossi’s gearbox overheated, causing his car to catch fire.

The fire resulted in an immediate response from pit crew members and emergency response crews, who were able to douse the fire.

Rossi and other members of the crew were unharmed from the fire.

Here are some pictures and scenes of teh fire:

Another look at the pit road fire for an extremely frustrated Alexander Rossi.#Indy500 on FOX pic.twitter.com/bLSZ2YAJsC

— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 25, 2025

Rossi's car caught fire in the pits! pic.twitter.com/JGQV3Cvgvm

— Fifth Gear (@NotFifthGear) May 25, 2025

Per The Indy Star:

 

 

After leading early in the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, Alex Rossi’s day is over after his gearbox overheated and started a fire in his pit box. The driver and his pit crew are okay after several of them were touched by flames or hit with the fire extinguisher.

“That’s what so painful about this place, you have to have so many things go right,” Rossi reflected.

Rossi was leading after a strategy split following the early race mayhem, looking to win a second Indianapolis 500, after winning in his rookie year during the 100th running, the last time the track had a Grandstand sellout.

When the fire spread Rossi’s fueler, Mike Miller was most directly in the line of the destruction as the fire lapped onto his hands. he’s told officials at the track that he’s okay and is being checked out by the on track safety team.

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“I’m okay,” Rossi told Fox Sports. “Thankfully, Mike is okay too. It’s always a terrible situation, it’s so disappointing. It was such a great race car.”

IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi saw his Indianapolis 500 run end Sunday afternoon when his car went up in flames on pit row.

Rossi was unsure what exactly happened to start the fire, citing a possible fuel coil.

“That’s what is so painful about this place. You have to do everything right,” Rossi said.

Team Rossi car and fueler catch on fire during pit stop – scary stuff at Indy 500 – fueler appears to be ok. pic.twitter.com/LJJOZXNjDk

— Frankly Frank (@NoFrankingWay) May 25, 2025

Here’s what Mediaite reported:

IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi with Ed Carpenter Racing was frustrated and furious Sunday after his race hopes ended in a scary pit lane fire, and it was only one of several dramatic moments at the 109th running of the storied Indianapapolis 500.

The “Andretti Curse” struck early, knocking out Marco Andretti on the fourth lap. And even before that, Scott McLaughlin was devastated after going out with a crash during the pace lap.

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Rossi’s pit fire was dramatic, Dale Coyne Racing’s Rinus VeeKay had a spin-out on the way in, and Prema Racing’s Robert Shwartzman had a frightening close call with the pit crew.