Sting Ray Robb on Graham Rahal after crash: 'When you're not leading, can't do that'

INDIANAPOLIS - After a blistering pace to start the first half of the 107th Indianapolis 500, the first yellow of the race flew after rookie Sting Ray Robb crashed in turn one on lap 91; followed quickly by contact between pole sitter Alex Palou and Rinus VeeKay.

Robb, in his first attempt at the Indianapolis 500, qualified in the last row and was focused on getting to the finish of his first time around the Brickyard.

"I've had too many learning experiences this year," Robb said. "I'm sick and tired of it."

He was having a quiet race until it approached the halfway mark.

More:Yes, his name is actually Sting Ray Robb. Here's how he got it.

Graham Rahal, who was substituting for the injured Stefan Wilson, made a late pass on Sting Ray Robb and forced the No. 51 BioHaven Honda out of the groove in turn 1. Robb slid up the track and made heavy contact with the outside wall.

Frustrated, Robb appeared to show his frustrations with Rahal before he stepped into the ambulance to take him to the infield medical center for a checkup.

"Just got caught up racing someone I thought didn't stand up to the stereotype, but I guess it's there," Robb said after he was seen and released from the medical center. "Wasn't really for position and a late move, just got hung out there in the gray. When you're not leading the race, can't do that."

Robb is the second driver out of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to be out of the race. Katherine Legge, who started 29th, had multiple issues with her car leading to contact with the pit lane road.

On the ensuing round of pit stops, the race took a sudden turn when Rinus VeeKay spun exiting his pit box and collected Alex Palou. VeeKay and Palou had been the dominant cars of the day, with Palou having led 38 laps and VeeKay 24 laps.

Neither VeeKay nor Palou had terminal damage, but both cars suffered significant setbacks that derailed two promising races. VeeKay was penalized for the contact and had to serve a drivethrough penalty.

IndyStar trending sports reporter Chloe Peterson contributed to this report.