Fox aimed to showcase Josef Newgarden while he was leading the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 on Sunday in Madison, Illinois, but their timing could not have been worse. Midway through the race, Newgarden was involved in a frightening crash after colliding with Louis Foster’s car, which caused his vehicle to flip upside down on the track.
Details of the Collision and Immediate Response
Louis Foster lost control, spinning out and hitting the wall before sliding across the track. Newgarden tried unsuccessfully to avoid Foster’s car and ended up making contact, launching his vehicle airborne and flipping it over. IndyCar safety officials quickly arrived at the scene, and Newgarden was able to communicate with his Team Penske crew that he was unharmed.
Fox’s Ill-Timed Montage Adds to the Unease
Adding to the discomfort of the moment, Fox had just aired a montage showing Newgarden in a powerful, intense stance, directly facing the camera. The abrupt transition from that clip to footage of his upside-down car sliding on the track made the crash even more unsettling for viewers. While the idea behind the montage was sound, the coincidence of timing made it appear awkward and jarring.
Driver and Incident Reactions
Reflecting on the incident, Louis Foster explained,
“I got a bit of a wiggle … got a bit too high and went into the marbles,”
and added,
“I just couldn’t stop the car from spinning and, obviously, a pretty scary impact with myself and Josef. I’m glad he is OK.”
His comments emphasize the difficulty and danger involved in the crash.
Additional Pit Lane Incident and Race Outcome
Fox’s challenges continued during the event when Devlin DeFrancesco inadvertently struck a Fox Sports camera operator while pulling into the pit. The camera operator was caught off guard and fell hard, with the camera capturing the moment, including the operator lying face down. Despite these disruptions, Kyle Kirkwood secured victory in the race, marking his second consecutive win and third of the season.
Significance of the Crash and Its Impact on Coverage
The Josef Newgarden crash during Bommarito Automotive Group 500 underscored the dangers of IndyCar racing and spotlighted the importance of safety measures. For Fox Sports, the incident highlighted the challenges of live race coverage, especially when unexpected events clash with planned broadcasts. Moving forward, both safety officials and production teams will likely review protocols to better handle such incidents during high-stakes competition.