The AJ Foyt driver had been involved in a last lap crash in the second Iowa race, going airborne after making contact with the Arrow McLaren of Alexander Rossi who was running out of fuel. Robb’s car rolled over itself a number of times, but ultimately — and thankfully — the young American in his sophomore IndyCar season walked away from his totalled car almost unscathered.
Robb, who is feeling “surprisingly good” and “very very grateful to be here today”, discussed the dynamics of his accident, underlining the details which led to the scary crash.
“During the race, our first stop, we only got about a half a tank in the car on that first pit stop. We were running light on fuel. I was on a massive fuel save going into that last stint. The deal was that I was holding up a big group behind me because we were scrambling to try and save as many drops of fuel as we could.
“I was fighting with Ed [Carpenter]. We had a good battle going. I was very surprised I kept him behind me. That’s kind of the nature of the race. The single lane lent to the passing we could have.
“Pushing the last few laps, I could see that Rossi was slowing. I didn’t know to what extent. I looked up going into turn one just to see where he was located. I think it was about three-quarters of the way through the turn, I could see the closing rate. It was very, very big. It was so massive.
“It’s kind of like the worst-case scenario, when you’re exiting a turn at that speed, with that closing rate, not knowing what other drivers are thinking or experiencing. I wish I could have hit a reset button like on a simulator, start over again. I’m sure he would be thinking the same thing,” added Robb, focusing on the positives moving on to the next round this weekend.
“There were four cars that were pretty much totaled in that accident. The fact that we’re all safe and sound and ready to go for Toronto is pretty impressive.”
After the impact, the 22-year-old was glad that he didn’t have any major physical consequences at a first glance, due to the incredibly safety advancements the series has made over the last few years.
“So when I immediately got slowed down and stopped, my spotter was talking to me the whole time. I did a quick self-check. I had the wind knocked out of me. The belts did their job. Everything worked as it was supposed to. I didn’t have any cuts or anything abnormal.
“I had some bruises on my hips from the lap belts working, as they should have. When they brought me out of the car and pulled me out, I got light-headed, kind of sit out the bed too quickly in the morning sometimes, you get light-headed, see stars a little bit. It was like that, but just super severe.”
The severity of the crash is highlighted by the fact that Robb lost consciousness for a brief period of time.
“I passed out for I don’t know how long it was. It was pretty quick. When I came to, I was like, I’m not doing too well.”
On the bright side, Robb is fit for Toronto and reports as his only long lasting apparent consequence from the impact is blister on his thumb, from touching the scorched halo.
It was definitely not a pleasant experience, with Robb recalling the moment he was airborne following the touch.
“As I was up in the air, I could see the top of the catch fence almost at my level. At that moment I realised I was in some trouble there. I still had my hands on the steering wheel at that point, bracing myself. I had enough time in the air where it kind of went slow motion. I let go, grabbed under my harnesses to hold on.
“On the way down I had time to think about accidents that I’ve seen in recent history where guys, they’ve gone flying through the air like that. Think about Hinchcliffe, Dixon at the Speedway. Even Simon Pagenaud last year. 112Gs. I was at 109Gs. The fact of the matter is I should be more hurt as I am.”
His fitness is extremely surprising, as most of the aforementioned drivers had to suffer much long lasting effects, with Pagenaud still suffering with a brain injury over a year after his Mid-Ohio impact.
“I don’t know why I’m okay as I am. I’m giving the glory to God for that. Thanking the crew picking me up out of the car. Everybody did their job as they were supposed to. When I came down, felt the impact, it didn’t knock the wind out of me.
“I didn’t feel any of that piercing through my legs or any sort of damage there. A couple light bruises of the bulkhead hit my knees. Skidding on the ground. I was very, very surprised that I was okay as I was.”
