On May 25, 2025, the 109th Indianapolis 500 electrified Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Álex Palou became the first Spanish driver to win the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The three-time IndyCar champion, piloting the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, clinched his first oval victory and fifth win in six races this season, outpacing Marcus Ericsson under caution after a late crash by Nolan Siegel. Before over 300,000 spectators, the race delivered drama, from rookie heroics to high-profile crashes, cementing its status as a motorsport pinnacle.
The race began under threat of rain, with a brief delay clearing for a 12:45 p.m. ET start. Israeli rookie Robert Shwartzman, the first pole-sitter debutant since 1983, led early, thrilling fans with his 232.790 mph qualifying speed. His historic run unraveled during a pit stop when he struck four crew members, one requiring medical attention, forcing his retirement. The incident was one of many mishaps: Scott McLaughlin crashed on warm-up laps, and Marco Andretti wrecked on the first green-flag lap, setting a chaotic tone.
Palou, starting sixth, navigated a race where 11 of 33 drivers failed to finish due to crashes or mechanical issues. A pivotal moment came with 16 laps left when he overtook Ericsson, the 2022 winner, in a bold move entering Turn 1, seizing the lead. David Malukas, finishing third, praised his team but noted lapped cars aided Palou’s pass, saying, “We were No. 1 until the end.” Pato O’Ward took fourth, lamenting another near-miss, while Felix Rosenqvist rounded out the top five. The race ended under caution after Siegel’s crash, sealing Palou’s victory.
Kyle Larson’s bid to complete the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 “Double” ended on lap 91 when he crashed, collecting Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb. Larson, starting 19th, later wrecked in Charlotte, dashing his 1,100-mile dream. Josef Newgarden, aiming for a historic three-peat, faced a setback before the race: penalized for illegal rear attenuators, he started 32nd alongside teammate Will Power. Despite climbing to sixth, a fuel pump issue forced his retirement, ending his day in 25th.
FOX’s first Indy 500 broadcast, led by Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe, and Townsend Bell, drew criticism for excessive commercials and missing Palou’s finish to cover Siegel’s crash. Despite this, the event’s energy shone through, with Natalie Grant’s national anthem and the Indy 500 Festival Parade setting a festive stage. Palou’s celebration was a highlight, as he shared a traditional milk toast with his team and daughter Lucia on the Yard of Bricks, calling it “a dream realized.”
The 2025 Indy 500, published on May 26, 2025, showcased Palou’s dominance, Shwartzman’s bold debut, and the heartbreak of Larson and Newgarden. With crashes, pit-lane drama, and a historic Spanish victory, the race reaffirmed its legacy as motorsport’s grand stage, leaving fans eager for next year’s brickyard battle.
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