New IndyCar wheel assembly unveiled to prevent debris in grandstands
INDIANAPOLIS — This weekend in Iowa, IndyCar teams will run stronger wheel assembly parts designed to prevent wheels from flying over the catchfence.
IndyCar will require all teams to run a strengthened rear-wheel bearing retaining nut. IndyCar and Dallara claim the strength of the nut has increased by 60% over the previous design.
During the Indianapolis 500, Kyle Kirkwood spun and wrecked, causing his left-rear wheel assembly to go over the catchfence. Luckily it flew through a gap in the grandstands and hit a car, avoiding fans in the stands.
IndyCar President Jay Frye stated Dallara’s investigation “began immediately.” The investigation found “unusual and never experienced set of circumstances” lead to the wheel assembly going over the fence.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Dallara CEO Stefano dePonti touched on the investigation and how it led to the development of the new part:
“It is Dallara’s mission, along with INDYCAR and all of the racing series we work with, to maintain and continuously improve safety based upon the highest standards. After completing a detailed analysis of the accident during this year’s Indy 500, together with INDYCAR, we have reached the conclusion that the outcome was the consequence of an unusual and never experienced set of circumstances.
Nevertheless, we have developed and produced new components that will increase the strength of the corner in case the unlikely sequence of events repeats itself.”
Many, including Will Power, said the tether worked but that it ripped the assembly off of the upright suspension part. IndyCar hopes this change will ensure that doesn’t happen again.
The first Iowa doubleheader race is 250 laps and kicks off at around 4 p.m. ET Saturday. Race two is 300 laps and starts at around 3 p.m. ET Sunday.
NBC and the IndyCar Radio Network will broadcast the races.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com