The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 delivered high drama, strategic twists, and emotional exits, as Alex Palou wins his maiden Indy 500 after a commanding late-race move and a race-ending caution.
The start of the race was delayed significantly due to inclement weather, leaving Kyle Larson’s highly anticipated Indy-NASCAR double in jeopardy from the beginning. As the field finally rolled off behind the pace car, disaster struck immediately at the Brickyard.
Scott McLaughlin, one of Team Penske’s top contenders, lost control while weaving on the front straight and crashed into the pit wall before the green flag. At the same time, Scott Dixon reported a brake fire but stayed in the race.
When the green flag eventually waved, Marco Andretti’s day ended instantly in Turn 1 after contact with Jack Harvey, which also involved Marcus Armstrong.
The early stages of green-flag running saw Takuma Sato assume the lead from pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman, who quickly faded from the front after showing weakness in race trim. Rain soon returned, prompting a caution on Lap 20 and complicating the tight schedule for Larson’s doubleheader attempt.
Pit stop chaos shook the field again. Shwartzman lost significant ground with a right-rear tire issue, while Larson dropped to 31st after a slow exit.
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Rossi sets Indy 500 on fire
Just as things began to settle, Alexander Rossi suffered a fiery retirement in the pit lane on Lap 76, and Rinus VeeKay followed shortly after with a hard crash due to brake failure. Then, in a frightening moment, Shwartzman collided with his own crew during a pit stop, ending his race in dramatic fashion.
Larson’s dream of completing 1,100 miles ended on Lap 93 after he lost control in the short chute and crashed, taking out Kyffin Simpson and triggering a secondary incident with Sting Ray Robb. Larson was flown by helicopter to Charlotte to attempt the Coca-Cola 600, but his Indy effort was over.
By halfway, Ryan Hunter-Reay had cycled to the front, but a stall in the pit lane with 40 laps to go dropped him out of contention. Strategy became critical as the race entered its final phase, with Marcus Ericsson playing the long game.
He stayed out longer than the other leaders and emerged with fresher tires and more fuel. With 22 laps to go, Ericsson jumped ahead of Palou — but traffic proved decisive.
With Ericsson stuck behind two fast lap cars, Palou pounced and made the winning move with 14 laps to go. He held on, aided by a helpful tow and clean air, even as challengers like David Malukas, Pato O’Ward, and Felix Rosenqvist tried to close the gap. A late-race caution froze the order, securing victory for Palou.
After heartbreak in past editions, Alex Palou wins the Indy 500 and now has his name etched into racing immortality as a winner of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500.
