Scott McLaughlin breaks through fence in violent high-speed IndyCar crash at Barber

Supercars great turned IndyCar star Scott McLaughlin has crashed through the fence in a terrifying high-speed accident in practice at Barber.

The 32-year-old spun when he dipped a wheel on the grass as he attempted to maximise his entry into turn one.

Already facing backwards by the time he left the track itself, he hurtled through the gravel before the rear then bounced up off the edge of the grass to send the car flying through the fence.

Commentators suspected he was travelling at more than 200km/h during the crash.

McLaughlin, who put his hands on his helmet to brace for impact, was unhurt and walked away from the crash.

“At the end of the day all of this equipment absolutely did its job,” James Hinchcliffe said.

“It slowed the car down.”

McLaughlin was assessed at the circuit’s medical centre before being released.

“I knew I was done. I dropped the right rear and spun so I just tried to brace myself a little bit,” the New Zealander said of the crash.

“I think the crash looked a lot worse than what it felt.

“I’m gutted for my guys. I had a look at the car and honestly I feel like we can get this thing fixed and go and ship it again.

“I just want to go out and go for pole.”

McLaughlin — a two-time winner at Barber who finished third last year — recovered to qualify 14th for Sunday’s race.

Walking the broadcast through the replay of the crash, McLaughlin laughed as he explained it in simple terms.

“I dropped the right rear, spun and I was flying backwards — then I ended up halfway through the fence,” he said.

“I’m upset for my team more than anything ... the way it slipped through there (the fence) I’m really hoping it (the car) might be OK.

“I’m just really thankful for the safety and whatnot ... little misjudgement just trying to open the apex, and I knew I was screwed about now (when the car left the track backwards).

“It was just hang on and see how we go. It’s not a laughing matter, it’s a mistake and I need to be better.”

Australian Will Power also had a horror crash in qualifying, locking up and hitting a tyre barrier head-on — a risky position for leg injuries.

But the 45-year-old walked away before being seen in the medical centre and cleared to race on Sunday.

“The brake just went to the floor,” Power said.

“I think the fronts were working so it was a brake failure on the rear, that’s all I know.”

Power has had a crash-filled start to his first season with Andretti after his shock split from Penske last year.

“It’s incredible,” he shrugged.

“It’s how things go sometimes.”