Photo by Kyle McInnes
Some of the best Indianapolis 500s are worth waiting a little longer for. My favorite 500 of all time- 1986- was delayed almost a full week by weather. While yesterday’s race began just four hours late, it was a gem, my favorite race since 2014. I will think a bit more about this, but 2024 may replace 2014 as second on my favorites list.
The 108th 500 had all the elements that make for a great race. Contenders came and went, accidents at times that altered pit strategy, green flag runs that weren’t overly long-the longest was the final 46 laps- and five lead changes in the final 10 laps.
I have a standard for what makes a good race, and yesterday met it. To me a good 500 mile race has no more than 50 laps of caution, and no driver leads more than a third of the race. It was close on both counts.
The emotion from winner Josef Newgarden and runner up Pato O’Ward is what this race is all about. Their intense, lead swapping battle over the final eight laps is the stuff of Indianapolis legends.
Alternate Strategies Nearly Work
Conor Daly drove arguably the best 500 of his career. he was in a position to win most of the day on an alternate fuel strategy, aided by the early caution flags. The caution for his teammate, Ryan Hunter-Reay, hurt his plan. Daly finished 10th, improving 19 positions from the start.
But then the master of alternate fuel tactics, Scott Dixon, stepped in, and while things didn’t quite go his way, he still managed a third place result from a 21st place start.
Overcoming Penalties
Kyle Kirkwood and Graham Rahal survived drive through penalties to gaindecent results. Kirkwood’s penalty was for pit lane contact on lap 92. he finished seventh.
Rahal faced a bigger challenge. he started last, and his pit speed penalty on lap 134 might have ended a good day for him. But Rahal fought back to come home 15th, probably the best drive of the day.
In what is becoming an annual event. Rinus VeeKay had an issue with contact in pit lane, was sent to the back of the field, yet fought back to ninth at the end. I wonder how well he would finish if he didn’t have to recover from penalties every year.
While Callum Ilott did not get assessed an official penalty, a stuck weight jacker on the pace lap forced him to start the race from the pits. He managed to finish 11th.
Mixed Results for Rookies
The six rookies had a mixed day. Christian Rasmussen was the highest finisher of the group in12th. Rasmussen, Kyle Larson, and Kyffin Simpson led laps. But three were not around at the finish.
Larson ran inn the top 10 until a pit speed violation on lap 134 buried him in the field. he had a 22nd place result, but ill still win Rookie of the Year.
Tom Blomqvist was involved in the first turn accident, Marcus Armstrong lasted only six laps with a mechanical issue, and Linus Lundqvist hit the wall after 27 laps.
Newgarden’s Rare Feat
How unusual are back to back victories in the 500? After Wilbur Shaw first won in 1939 and 1940, two other drivers (Mauri Rose, 1947-1948; Bill Vukovich 1953,1954) accomplished twin wins in 15 years. There was not another back to back event until Al Unser in 1970 and 1971. It would be another 30 years until Helio Castroneves in 2001 and 2002 would go back to back. Newgarden, 22 years later, now joins this club of the most difficult feat in the 500.
Final Thoughts
I am glad that the red flag did not come into play at the end of the race this year. Newgarden earned this victory.
Yesterday may have been the race O’Ward needed to realize his potential in the series. I expect he will be a better driver after Sunday.
Kudos to the crowd for sticking it out for a very long day, and for Doug Boles and IMS management for keeping everyone safe during the storm.
And thanks to Indycar for coming up with the raciest Speedway package in years. More, please, on the remaining ovals.
Thanks to everyone who followed along on this site yesterday. I will be taking a break for a couple days, then soon I will be off to Le Mans.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 