Foyt, Fittipaldi Uninjured in Crashes; Brazilian to Start Last in Backup Car

A.J. Foyt and Emerson Fittipaldi, two of the world’s most successful race car drivers, crashed Thursday during carburetion day practice for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500.

Fittipaldi’s March was damaged so extensively in a third turn accident that it was withdrawn from the race. The former two-time world champion from Brazil will start from the rear of the field in a backup car.

Foyt, a four-time winner of the 500, appeared to hit harder than Fittipaldi, but crew chief Jack Starne said the Lola could be repaired, thus keeping Foyt in the second row.

Both drivers said they were surprised by the suddenness of their cars’ slide.

Foyt: “The car was running good, just a little loose. I was gonna pull it in and I thought I’d see what the car does in dirty air, and it just took off.”

Foyt, who had just lapped the oval at 205.714 m.p.h., was trailing Derek Daly and Dick Simon as they entered the first turn.

Fittipaldi: “I lost it in the back end going into the third turn. I don’t know why. I wasn’t up to full speed and I was running by myself with no traffic. The back end just went out.”

Pat Patrick, owner of Fittipaldi’s car, said the tub of the March was damaged at the suspension points.

“We’ve had plenty of practice time in the (backup) car,” Patrick said. “We’ll be ready to race.”

Pole-sitter Mario Andretti had the fastest lap of the final day of practice: 211.515 m.p.h. All 33 starters were on the track.