Tag: Indianapolis 500

Indianapolis 500 Purse Reaches New Pinnacle 

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L INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, May 26, 2025) – The Indianapolis 500 purse record was broken for the fourth year in a row for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, with first-time winner Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing earning $3.8 million from a total purse of $20,283,000.This is the largest purse in the century-plus history of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on the heels of four consecutive record-breaking years.
This year’s average payout for NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers was $596,500, which also exceeds last year’s average of $543,000.In 2024, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $18,456,000, and the year’s winner payout was $4.3 million, which included a $440,000 roll-over bonus from BorgWarner for earning back-to-back wins. In 2023, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $17,021,500, and the winner earned $3.7 million. In 2022, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $16,000,200, and the winner earned $3.1 million.
Prior to 2022, the largest Indianapolis 500 purse was $14.4 million for the 2008 Indianapolis 500.
“The Indianapolis 500 is the greatest race in the world, and winning this race makes history in more ways than one,” INDYCAR and IMS president J. Douglas Boles said. “The Month of May featured a grandstand sellout crowd and intense on-track action. Alex Palou adds Indianapolis 500 winner to his long list of growing achievements and takes home the largest purse in Indianapolis 500 history. There’s no better way to end an epic month.”
Pole-winner Robert Shwartzman of PREMA Racing earned Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors for his performance during the Month of May. Shwartzman earned a $50,000 bonus for being named Rookie of the Year, adding to a total take-home prize of $327,300.
The Indianapolis 500 purse consists of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NTT INDYCAR SERIES awards, plus other designated and special awards. Purse awards are presented annually at the Victory Celebration, held this year at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis Monday night.
The next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race is the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented on Sunday, June 1 on the streets of Downtown Detroit. The race will be broadcast live on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network at 12:30 p.m. ET.

INDYCAR Announces Indianapolis 500 Post-Race Technical Violations and Penalties

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From IMS:

  INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, May 26, 2025) – INDYCAR has announced post-race technical inspection penalties for the entries of No. 27 and 28 of Andretti Global and No. 90 of PREMA Racing following Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
During post-race inspection of car Nos. 27 and 28, INDYCAR discovered modifications to the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System (EMS) covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts. According to the INDYCAR rulebook, EMS covers must be used as supplied. Additionally, these modifications provided the capability of enhanced aerodynamic efficiency to both cars.

Andretti Global was in violation of:
Rule 9.3.1. Improper Conduct – Any member attempting to or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, unsafe conduct, or conduct detrimental to racing; INDYCAR; and/or to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, whether during an Event or on/off the Track, may be subject to any or all penalties.
Rule 14.1.2. Questions to be submitted and will be answered via IRIS. Modifications must be approved seven (7) days prior to the date of intended use.
Rule 14.1.3. All parts provided by an Approved Supplier must be used as supplied without modification unless otherwise approved by INDYCAR and stated in these Rules or in update bulletins.

During INDYCAR’s routine inspection of the front wing assembly of PREMA Racing entry No. 90, the car failed to meet the minimum endplate height and location specification.
PREMA Racing was in violation of:
Rule 9.3.1. Improper Conduct – Any member attempting to or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, unsafe conduct, or conduct detrimental to racing; INDYCAR; and/or to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, whether during an Event or on/off the Track, may be subject to any or all penalties.
Rule 14.7.6.8. Front wing must adhere to the following Technical Inspection dimensions:Failure of the left side minimum endplate height
Rule 14.7.6.4., which requires endplates, wing flaps and mainplanes remain in the designed location.
All three cars (Nos. 27, 28 and 90) have been re-ordered to the rear of the field in order of their placement in the unofficial results. Prize money and championship race points earned are commensurate to the final and official finishing positions. Additionally, each car receives a $100,000 fine and the team/competition managers for the three entries have been placed on a one-race suspension to be served at the next NTT INDYCAR SERIES event at the Streets of Detroit.
Updated results of the 2025 Indianapolis 500 can be found here.
Members may contest the imposition of the penalties detailed in the review and appeal procedures of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES rulebook. 
 
 

Final Thoughts on the 109th Indianapolis 500

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There is just no getting around it. Yesterday’s Indianapolis 500 was a strange two part race. Part 1 saw 45% of the laps run under caution. Part 2 was caution free until the second half of the last lap.

There was little passing for the lead, but the number of pit strategies scrambled the top of the field. but kept the leaders in traffic all day. Traffic played a part in the end of the race.

Teammates Devlin DeFrancesco and Louis Foster were having arguably the best battle on the track- for 14th place. Unfortunately, they were right in front of the race leaders. Yes, they have a right to stay on the lead lap, but with 10 laps to go in the race, and knowing they would get a wave around if the yellow came out, why not make them step out of the leaders’ way? It could have been a terrific three car finish between Palou, Ericsson, and Malukas.

Sometimes the 500 just produces a race that is not great. Part of it may have been the weather, but I think the hybrid and its extra weight hampered what had been a great show the last few years.

How much does it hurt to lose Indy?

I don’t know who snapped this shot, but Marcus Ericsson was despondent after the race. He told the media it was “pretty painful,” and that it would keep him up for several nights.

Ericsson went a little wide going into turn 1, and Palou was able to slip by him.

I appreciate Alex Palou drinking the milk, then triumphantly raising the bottle in tribute instead of pouring it over his head. I always thought the winner pouring the milk over his head was ridiculous. I hope Palou has started a trend to end that practice. Now if he just hadn’t kissed the bricks…

I thought yesterday’s singing of the National Anthem was the worst I have heard at the 500 since Steven Tyler sang in 2001. Natalie Grant’s version reinforced my belief that at every sporting event, the venue should just paly an instrumental recording of the anthem by the US Army Band.

The helicopters that followed the field around on the pace and parade laps were distracting and annoying. The field for the Indianapolis 500 lined up in11 rows of three in perfect formation coming to the green flag is one of the most beautiful sights in all of sports. It doesn’t need a so called “enhancement” or any additive feature at all. It stands on its own.

Rookie of the Year?

While all the rookies finished 15th or lower, Robert Shwartzman winning the pole is the thing that will get him the award. Nolan Siegel was likely in line for it until his crash on the final lap.

A Strange Race; Another Palou Win

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I saw two races today. The 110 lap race was caution filled and filled with chaos in the pits. The second one was an intriguing chess game in which several drivershad a chance to win.

Alex Palou won the 109th Indianapolis 500, taking the lead from Marcus Ericsson with 14 laps to go.

“Pretty painful,” Ericsson said.

It is Palou’s first win on an oval, and Palou’s fifth win six IndyCar series races in 2025. He now leads Pato O’Ward by 118 points, more than two races of maximum points.

Pit Chaos

Pit Lane played a role in the outcome as several contenders had incidents which ended either their day or their chances to win. Rinus VeeKay slid into the pit wall after entering the pits. the contact knocked him out of the race.

Takuma Sato, who looked to be in control of the race, overshot his marks, and the crew had and the time lost took him out of the running.He finished 11th.

Robert Shwartzman made contact with his pit crew as stopped too close to the wall. One crew member was taken by ambulance to the infield care center with severe foot pain.

Ryan Hunter-Reay was leading the race and appeared to be in position to battle for the win.. His car stalled on his final stop and the team couldn’t restart it. Hunter-Reay placed 24th.

Tough Day for Former Winners

Other than Marcus Ericsson’s second place finish, former 500 winners had a difficult time. Helio Castroneves finished 13th and was the only other past winner on the lead lap at the end.

Two time defending champion Josef Newgarden had climbed as high as fifth from his 32nd starting spot only to have the fuel pump fail. he finished 25th.

Will Power started 33rd and quietly rose to 19th at the end.

Alexander Rossi led 14 laps but retired after a brake fire.

Scott Dixon suffered a brake fire on the parade lap and spent the entire day three laps down.

What Might Have Been

Conor Daly looked like he would become the first Indiana born winner of the 500 since Wilbur Shaw in 1940. A worn tire caused him to pit early and he finished 10th. Still. it was one of Daly’s best 500 drives

David Malukas was in the fight but settled for third place. It was his first podium since a second place at Gateway in 2022.

In Summary

The race got off to a disjointed start with Scott McLaughlin hitting the outside pit wall on the parade lap, and Marco Andretti’s crash in turn 1 just after the green flag. 18 laps of caution in the first 29 laps was not a great start. A back to back set of yellows on laps 82 and 92 kept the first half of the race crawling. After the caution which ended on lap 108, the race was green until Nolan Siegel’s crash on lap 200.

The second half of the race was fascinating, and the winner was in doubt until inside the last 20 laps.

I will post my thoughts on the race tomorrow. I have a few, not just on the race, but on the ceremonies as well. Thanks for following along this weekend and all through May.

Race Day 109

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Good morning from IMS. I love the 5 am hour inside the Speedway- the stillness, the pent up energy waiting to burst forth at 6 am when the gates open, the silent front stretch where things will be very hectic in the next couple of hours, and most of all the ghosts of drivers past.

The latest from @Indycar_Wxman:

My weather app calls for the best chance of rain between 9 and 10 am. The rest of the day should be fine.

The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 has many compelling storylines. How will Robert Shwartzman, the rookie polesitter, handle the start? Will we see a repeat winner? A fifth win for Helio Castroneves or three in a row for Josef Newgarden? I think the best chances for a repeat winner lie with either Takuma Sato or Scott Dixon.

Can Alex Palou continue his IndyCar victory juggernaut? Palou is still seeking his first win on oval, but I don’t think today is the day he gets it.

Will the hybrid be a factor? Will it be the difference in a last lap duel?

Five drivers-Scott McLaughlin, Colton Herta, Takuma Sato, Marcus Armstrong, and Ryan Hunter-Reay- are driving either rebuilt or back up cars. Hunter-Reay changed chassis after Friday’s fire during Carb Day.

Today’s race will come down to pit strategy and being in position to win on the final stint.

In the end, I’m sticking with my pick of Pato O’Ward. Let’s have a good, clean, safe race.

Here are some pics from this morning on pit lane.

First Look- Indianapolis 500 Race Day Schedule

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Sunday, May 25

All Times Eastern.

6 am: Gates Open

9 am: Cars To Pit Lane

10:30 am: Cars To Grid

10:40 am: Past Winners Lap

11:47 am: Driver Intros

12:06 pm: Military March

12:11 pm: America the Beautiful

12:13 pm: Military Address

12:18 pm: Invocation

12:19 pm: Rifle Volley

12:20 pm: Taps

12:21 pm: God Bless America

12:24 pm: National Anthem

12:26 pm Flyover

12:29 pm: Drivers To Cars

12:36 pm: Back Home Again in Indiana

12:38 pm: Command

12:45 pm: Green Flag

Legends Day

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INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 23, 2025) – Information about 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Legends Day Presented by Firestone track activity Saturday, May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
SCHEDULE (All times local):
8 a.m.-3 p.m.: Public Gates Open
9-10 a.m.: 2025 Indianapolis 500 Drivers’ Autograph Session, Pagoda Plaza
10:30 a.m.: Public Drivers’ Meeting, Pit Lane in front of Tower Terrace
Noon-1 p.m.: Former Indianapolis 500 Drivers’ Autograph Session, North Chalet
1:30-2:30 p.m.: Former Indianapolis 500 Drivers’ Autograph Second Session, North Chalet
TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $20. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. The General Admission ticket will provide the opportunity to move between the IMS infield viewing mounds and first-come, first-served access to selected grandstands to view the Public Drivers’ Meeting.
PUBLIC GATES OPEN (8 a.m.-3 p.m.): Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7V, Gate 7S, Gate 10, Gate 10A
PARKING: Free parking is available at 5th & Hulman and N Lot. Paid daily parking is available in Lot 2. Pre-Paid parking is available in Lot 1B, Lot 2, Lot 3P, and Main Gate. Free ADA accessible parking is available in West Museum Lot and Tower Terrace. Paid daily ADA accessible parking is available in Lot 2. Pre-Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3P.
CASHLESS OPERATIONS: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete your ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during your event via debit or credit card.Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. Cash-to-Card machines, which convert paper money onto a temporary debit card, will be located in the IMS Museum, Pagoda Plaza and outside Turn 1 by concessions stand 7. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted.
MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Advance ticket purchases are sold out. Limited tickets are available for walk-in purchases at the Museum, but there may be a wait. Gate admission must be purchased as well as Museum admission

Carb Day With a Serving of Hot Dogs

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Josef Newgarden led a disjointed Carb Day practice which had three caution periods and saw eight different teams in the top 10. Newgarden’s best lap of 225.687 mph, just edging Takuma Sato by two tenths of a mile per hour. Pole sitter Robert Shwartzman was 29th and Pato O’Ward was eighth quick.

Yellow first flew when Graham Rahal suffered an oil fire. The second yellow was for Ryan Hunter-Reay when a fire occurred inside the cockpit. Satom brought out the final yellow with about 30 minutes left when he slowed on the backstretch and pulled into the grass in the north short chute.

From earlier:

109th Indianapolis 500 Preview

Watching all 33 cars on track today I got the feeling that this field is one of the best looking grids I have seen for the 500. The parade lap is going to look great.

Another large crowd descended on IMS today to watch the final practice before Sunday’s race and to take in the other activities of the day, including the just concluded Weenie 500. For thse keeping score number three passed number 1 just before the finish line for the closest win in Weenie 500 history.

Practice Results