Chevrolet describes IndyCar Detroit pace car crash as 'unfortunate'

GM's Mark Reuss crashed the Corvette on the parade lap before the second race, losing control at the crest of Turn 2 and hitting the concrete wall.

Driver Reuss and IndyCar official Mark Sandy, the passenger in the car, were taken to the medical centre and later cleared.

Reuss was then replaced by regular pace car driver Oriol Servia, who competed in last month's Indianapolis 500.

Chevrolet released a statement shortly after the incident: "We are thankful that there were no serious injuries.

"Both the pace car driver and the series official were taken to the infield care centre, where they were checked, cleared and released.

"It is unfortunate that this incident happened. Many factors contributed, including weather and track conditions. The car's safety systems performed as expected."

Andretti's Alexander Rossi had taken pole for the race, meaning he was the nearest car to the accident and the only car to run through the debris before the field came to a halt.

Series points leader Will Power finished second once the race took place, and said Reuss was not to blame for the accident.

"No one wanted to run over the debris," said Power.

"I think Rossi was the only one that went through it, and [Robert] Wickens got stalled [after starting second], and we only had one set of new reds.

"I felt really bad for whoever was in the pace car. It's very easy to do as you go over that crest, and the traction control must have been turned off. [It] wasn't really his fault.

"It's just such a bad corner. It's very easy to do."

Chip Ganassi Racing's Ed Jones added: "I thought the same thing.

"Once the [leading] three of us kind of created a roadblock, no one else could get through. With the debris it made things easier to decide what to do.

"I just didn't want to get a puncture or anything like that, and there was a lot of cars behind, if they didn't do it [stop the cars], it could have compromised our race."