O’Ward forced into backup car for Indy 500

Arrow McLaren is building a spare car for Pato O’Ward to use for the remainder of the Indianapolis 500 after his primary No. 5 Chevy suffered enough damage during the big crash on Monday to warrant shifting to a backup Dallara DW12 chassis.

O’Ward attempted to avoid the spinning and crashing car of Alexander Rossi who hammered the Turn 2 exit wall, but spun as well and hit the No. ECR Chevy with the back and left side of the No. 5 car.

With the next on-track session schedule for Friday’s two-hour Carb Day outing, Arrow McLaren opted to shift the chassis build process to its nearby shop where a low-mileage DW12 tub is being used to form the new No. 5 chassis that will carry the perennial Indy 500 threat in his quest to win the great race for the first time.

O’Ward qualified sixth and will retain the position due to IndyCar’s rules which state the use of a backup car is permitted without forfeiting the driver’s original qualifying position.

ECR is also in the process of preparing a replacement car for its driver; Rossi underwent outpatient surgery to a finger on his left hand and to his right ankle after both were injured in the crash. The Californian intends to participate in Carb Day practice, but requires clearance to do so from IndyCar Medical.

Multiple drivers have been in contact with ECR to offer their services if Rossi is unable to drive, but no word has been given on who would get the nod if the team needs to draft in a substitute for the 2016 Indy 500 winner who qualified second for Sunday’s 200-lap contest.

Romain Grosjean, the third driver involved in the crash with the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda, was fortunate to escape without the need for his team to prepare a different car. The transmission was destroyed and other items at the back of the car, as Coyne told RACER, but those items were being replaced shortly after the No. 18 Honda was returned to Gasoline Alley.