Rookie Spencer Pigot crashes during Indy 500 practice

The crew for Carlos Munoz, of Colombia, leave the pits after a practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race was cancelled due to weather at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Tuesday, May 17, 2016,. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (The Associated Press)

INDIANAPOLIS – Rookie Spencer Pigot was released from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway medical center after becoming the first driver to crash during Indianapolis 500 practice this year.

The American, who drives for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, spun as he went through the first turn and slammed into the outside wall before the car came to a stop between the first and second turns Wednesday.

But when the back of the Honda car appeared to start lifting, the car came back to the ground — unlike last year when three cars went airborne during practice on Indy's 2.5-mile oval. Series officials have added new safety measures and they appeared to work.

Pigot was helped out of the car by the track's safety crew and was almost immediately cleared to continue driving.