Raphael Matos out of Indy 500 following crash

Early contender Raphael Matos out of Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS — Raphael Matos’ promising run at the Indy 500 has ended with a crash in turn one.

Matos was attempting to make up ground when the green flag dropped following a caution but got loose and hit the outside wall. He was unhurt.

The 28-year-old Brazilian ran in the top five early in the 200-lap race before a pit miscue dropped him back to 24th.

Matos was leaving the pits during a caution when a rear tire came off and he spun out. His pit crew helped him get back into his pit box, but the mistake dropped Matos’ No. 2 de Ferran Dragon Racing car well back in the field.

Team co-owner Jay Penske says it appeared a tire was flat when Matos entered the pits and things got worse from there.