Keanu Reeves made his professional auto racing debut on Saturday at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but the day nearly took a dramatic turn when the Hollywood star spun out and almost crashed. The “Matrix” actor, known for his cool demeanor and action-packed roles, found himself in a tense moment during the ninth lap of the Toyota GR Cup Series race.
According to AP News, the 60-year-old was navigating a turn when he lost control of his Toyota, veering off the racetrack and onto the grass. In a close call, Reeves narrowly avoided a collision with another car.
The incident occurred about halfway through the 45-minute race, giving fans a heart-pounding moment to match the thrill of seeing the beloved actor behind the wheel.
Despite the spinout, Reeves was unharmed and managed to get back on track, ultimately finishing in 25th place. It was a respectable recovery considering he had qualified 31st out of 35 cars. The mishap didn’t deter the actor, as he’s set to compete again in a second race on Sunday, hoping for a smoother ride.
Reeves was driving the No. 92 BRZRKR car, a nod to his graphic novel series The Book of Elsewhere, which debuted in July. The race is part of the Toyota GR Cup Series, held in conjunction with the prestigious Indy 8 Hour event.
The actor’s love for racing isn’t new—he has previous experience, having won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach celebrity race back in 2009.
Beyond his participation in racing, Reeves is an avid motorsports enthusiast. Just this summer, he attended the MotoGP Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland in Germany, accompanied by his longtime girlfriend, Alexandra Grant.
The actor also took in the thrill of Formula 1 racing last year, attending the British Grand Prix qualifying session in July 2022, which he described as “thrilling.”
“I think being that close to it, just seeing the speed and the way that they’re going at the turns and exiting the turns is something unbelievable,” Reeves told Express at the time.
While his professional racing debut may have had a near-crash moment, Reeves’ passion for the sport remains unwavering.
His involvement in motorsports, both as a spectator and a driver, continues to fuel his adrenaline, and fans can expect to see more of him on the track in the future.