NDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard suffered minor injuries when he was struck by crash debris following a wreck at the start of the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

Ballard spokesman Marc Lotter says the mayor was asked to serve as the honorary starter of Saturday's race and was waving the green flag as the race commenced when pole-sitter Sebastian Saavedra stalled, triggering a violent wreck.

Lotter says Ballard was struck near his left elbow and on the left side of his chest by crash debris. The mayor was treated at the scene for scrapes and bruising, and did not require stitches.

After he was treated, Lotter says, Ballard left the track to watch the rest of the race from home.