Here is a rundown of what got me thinking…
This will be a little different. You are getting Musings now, and a first impressions for the Indianapolis 500 will come tonight or tomorrow after I have watched the broadcast. What I do know is Josef Newgarden has onions, Patricio O’Ward is IndyCar’s potential superstar that transcend the series, Kyle Larson brought the rain with him to Charlotte, Monaco was happy, I haven’t watched MotoGP and don’t plan on it until I am through Indianapolis. I am not spoiling that weekend for me. Either way, the 108th Indianapolis 500 turned out to be different, yet it worked out.
IndyCar’s Statement Race
It was almost 7:45 pm local time when Josef Newgarden dashed across the yards of bricks to claim his second consecutive Indianapolis 500 after pulling off one of the most daring passes in the history of the race.
The climax to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” was much later than expected.
A torrential afternoon thunderstorm ripped through Speedway, Indiana. Festivities were paused due to lightning in the area. That was only the warm-up act. For about two hours a driving rainstorm baptized the circuit. Spectators clustered for shelter under the grandstands. Some were fortunate enough to make it back to their cars. Some were still in traffic, betting Mother Nature would delay the race. They were right.
It was not a 12:45 pm green flag. It came four hours late, but once everyone was set up on the grid and the drivers had been introduced, the sun emerged in time for the anthem and the flyover. All memories of rains were expunged even if you were wearing soaked socks.
It had been 17 years since an Indianapolis 500 had experienced a weather delay. We were due. I guess if you consider that in the 11 years prior to that nearly half of those races had some rain interference, the least you could say is we are now even. Despite the waiting, those watching at the circuit and at home came out ahead.
For two hours, 58 minutes and 49 seconds, we were treated to a clunky yet spine-tingling race. The 108th Indianapolis 500 turned out to be the best-on-best-on-best-on-best-on-best. It was IndyCar at its highest level. All the main characters were there. If anything, this race told the story of IndyCar in the year 2024 of our Lord.
Rookies and inexperienced drivers were out early. A few veterans hanging on did not have their one final day in the sun. The snake-bitten were again pierced with fate’s cruel fangs. The race had a stupid combination of talent from Formula One veterans to an Argentine legend while two tin-top champions from opposite sides of the globe arguably have a case for best in the world.
Colton Herta looked brilliant and yet stumbled. Somehow Conor Daly led again. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing looked good despite looking toothless seven days ago. Santino Ferrucci made history and showed again his talent at this facility. Kyle Kirkwood silently had another good day, but when it came to the end of it, the finish was between the best in IndyCar.
Álex Palou pulled off fifth, he wasn’t really in the picture, but he was there and he always ends up in the mix even on the days he is anonymous for 75% of it. Isn’t that a sign of greatness?
Alexander Rossi was at the front of another Indianapolis 500 in the closing stages. It did not end in victory, but Rossi has shown enough that his victory as a rookie was no fluke even if it required an incredible fuel conservation run.
But IndyCar could not have asked for a better three-way fight to the finish. It was the two best drivers of the last decade against the next great driver in waiting. At no point was Scott Dixon mentioned as a favorite in the week leading up to the race, but Dixon was there and used a bit of strategy but also a fair share of passes to get there. Patricio O’Ward wasn’t having the greatest days, but O’Ward too used strategy to help get to the front. He held his own once he got there, making a strong case that he was the best on the day.
Then there was Josef Newgarden. Three months ago, Newgarden was unquestionably loved, and clearly seen as a special talent leading his generation. A disqualification for a technical infraction sullied his good name. A victory was erased from Newgarden’s record and poor results, his worst form in nearly a decade followed.
One year after the greatest victory in his career, Newgarden found redemption. A second Indianapolis 500 victory, let alone a second consecutive, puts you in rarified air. For Newgarden, it was the 30th victory of his IndyCar career. It might be the sweetest.
It required a 46-lap, 115-mile bare-knuckle brawl. It wasn’t against any schlubs. This was the best IndyCar had to offer. Any of the top six finishers could make a case for being the face of the series. Any of the top six could not be discredited in victory.
For a race that was delayed and attracting new viewers because Kyle Larson was in the field, IndyCar could not have picked a better time to have a statement race about what the series is and who leads the way. All of the players were there at the finish. That was the best IndyCar had competing for victory in the series’ greatest race. It featured breath-taking passes down the stretch and an increased level of risk-taking in each turn. It ended with the most daring move for all the glory and honor as a Hollywood script would have it.
Less than 30 seconds after Patricio O’Ward thought he had done enough to etch his place in history, Newgarden pulled off another move of brilliance to change history and claim the spoils of victory. What else could you ask for?
It was worth the wait. Not just the finish, but all of it. The weather was glorious and an evening finish provided a new light to this century old race. The shadows created a beautiful scene on the front straightaway. It was not the mid-afternoon celebration we are all accustomed to seeing but an evening eruption of euphoria. For Newgarden, it was another triumph. For the packed grandstands, which had no pockets of exposed aluminum despite the delay, it was a joyful cry after a long day that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
It was a blessing to be there and experience it in-person.
Winners From the Weekend
You know about Josef Newgarden, but did you know...
Charles Leclerc won the Monaco Grand Prix.
Christopher Bell won a rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600. Chase Elliott won the Grand National Series race. Nick Sanchez won the Truck race.
MotoGP's Catalunya Grand Prix weekend festivities will be watched soon!
Kelvin van der Linde and Thomas Preining split the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters races from the Lausitzring.
Mitch Evans and António Félix da Costa split the Shanghai ePrix.
Jett Lawrence swept the 450cc Motocross races from Fox Raceway. Haiden Dedham swept the 250cc races.
Taylor Barnard (sprint) and Zak O’Sullivan (feature) split the Formula Two races from Monaco. Nikola Tsolov (sprint) and Gabriele Mini (feature) split the Formula Three races.
Braden Eves won USF Pro 2000’s Freedom 90. Tanner DeFabis won U.S. F2000’s Freedom 75.
Coming Up This Weekend
IndyCar runs up to Detroit, and IMSA will be there as well.
MotoGP moves onto Mugello.
NASCAR jettisons to Gateway.
The 24 Hours Nürburgring will be held.
Super GT slides into Suzuka.
The World Rally Championship contests Rally d'Italia Sardegna.
