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2015 Indy 500: Hinchcliffe nearly killed

A crash at the Indy 500 in 2015 almost cost James Hinchcliffe his life

By: Jade Hindmon

Posted at 5:14 PM, May 27, 2016

and last updated 2016-05-27 18:42:30-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Deflategate inflated the headlines for months in 2015.

The debate over those under inflated footballs used in the AFC Championship game between the Patriots and the Colts rages on to this day.

At the statehouse, plenty of debate and outrage over civil rights and religious freedom.

The Religious Freedom Act put Indiana in the bullseye.

Weeks of protests and threats of boycotts hammered the state over concerns the law would lead to discrimination of LGBT Hoosiers.

Governor Mike Pence signed a revision 'fixing' the law.

By May, the outrage had died down, and attention turned to the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500.

During practice on May 18, a horrific crash nearly cost James Hinchcliffe his life.

He slammed into the wall. A piece of the suspension went straight through his leg and hit an artery.

Quick, precise work by the Holmatro Safety Crew and the medical staff at IU Methodist Hospital is credited with saving Hinchcliffe's life.

He was released just nine days later and made a full recovery.

On race day, new voices led the crowd in "Back Home Again in Indiana." Straight No Chaser replaced the now-retired Jim Nabors.

Scott Dixon was on the pole, looking for his second win.

Juan Pablo Montoya, in only his third 500 start, was also hungry for his second Borg-Warner Trophy.

But it could have been anyone's race.

The lead changed an incredible 37 times among 10 drivers.

But in the end, Montoya edged his teammate, Will Power, by one-tenth of a second.

15 years after his first win, Montoya returned to the Winner's Circle, and Roger Penske celebrated his 16th win as a team owner.

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