Devlin DeFrancesco collided with IndyCar cameraman in a comical incident during the 2025 Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 15. After an early spin caused damage to his No. 30 Honda, DeFrancesco’s attempt to return to the car in the pits resulted in an unexpected collision with a cameraman following him on foot.
Early Crash Forces DeFrancesco Out Before Unexpected Pit Road Mishap
DeFrancesco’s day began with misfortune when he lost control of his car on Lap 5 of 260 and rear-ended the barriers, bringing out a quick end to his initial run after hitting the wall backing into the barriers. Showing no injuries, the 25-year-old Canadian exited safely as marshals removed his damaged Honda from the track. Believing his race was finished, DeFrancesco headed to the garage, but Rahal Letterman Lanigan called him back after repairs were completed around Lap 25.
While sprinting back to his car in the pits, an eager IndyCar cameraman trailed closely behind on foot. At one point, DeFrancesco came to a sudden stop, but the cameraman did not slow in time, resulting in him crashing into DeFrancesco and falling to the ground with the camera facing upward. The incident was captured live, prompting laughter from FOX commentators covering the race.
After the race, DeFrancesco addressed the mishap in an interview:
“I think he (cameraman) was fine. I was running because I was told to get back in the car. He was running behind me and tripped, unfortunately.”
—Devlin DeFrancesco, Driver
Although more than 20 laps down when he returned to the track, DeFrancesco’s goal was to finish cleanly. His race position improved slightly to 23rd by the finish, benefiting from several competitors’ misfortunes including Will Power’s puncture-related retirement, crashes involving Louis Foster and Josef Newgarden, and Scott McLaughlin’s mechanical failure.
RLL Team Struggles with Rear Grip Problems Leading to Early Spin
Despite being the quickest qualifier for Rahal Letterman Lanigan with a P17 starting place, DeFrancesco’s race unravelled due to handling issues. He ended the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 43 laps behind the leaders after his spin. This marked his second consecutive 23rd place finish after mechanical troubles at the Detroit Grand Prix two weeks earlier.
DeFrancesco highlighted ongoing challenges with rear grip throughout the weekend, which contributed to the loss of control early in the race. When questioned on the spin, he remarked:
“We don’t know. I just lost the rear. We’ve been lacking rear grip all weekend. We’ve just had real inconsistent balances. I don’t know if we aren’t working the floor properly. It could be a bunch of different things. We need to review it and see. When we went back out, it was hard to drive. But we’ll work through it.”
—Devlin DeFrancesco, Driver
His teammate Graham Rahal also voiced frustrations regarding the lack of pace on the oval track. The Brownsburg, Indiana-based team faced a tough day overall, with Rahal finishing 22nd, DeFrancesco 23rd, and Foster crashing out on Lap 128, taking Josef Newgarden with him in the incident.
Implications for Rahal Letterman Lanigan and the Season Ahead
The disappointing performance at WWTR underscores the need for Rahal Letterman Lanigan to address car balance and grip issues before upcoming races. Devlin DeFrancesco’s mishap on pit road, while lighthearted, highlights the high-pressure environment faced by drivers and crews. Going forward, the team must resolve inconsistencies that hinder their competitiveness, especially on oval circuits where rear grip is crucial.
With several retirements benefiting his final placing, DeFrancesco’s result masks underlying technical struggles that could threaten their points standing. As the season progresses, Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s ability to correct these flaws will be critical to improving race outcomes for both DeFrancesco and Graham Rahal.