INDIANAPOLIS — Josef Newgarden overcame a cheating scandal to become the first driver since Helio Castroneves 22 years ago to win back-to-back Indianapolis 500 races, giving Roger Penske a record-extending 20th victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
The Tennessee native passed Pato O’Ward on the final lap of Sunday’s rain-delayed race to become the first driver to win consecutive 500-mile races since Castroneves did it with Penske in 2001 and 2002. And just like last year, Newgarden parked his Chevrolet-powered car on the track and climbed through a hole in the fence to celebrate with fans in the grandstands.
“I love this crowd. Whenever I win here I have to be in the crowd and I always do,” Newgarden said.
O’Ward was so disappointed that he dropped his head into the wheel as he was trying to become the first Mexican driver to win 108 consecutive Indy 500 races.
When he finally removed his helmet, he looked like he was in tears. He placed sixth in his Indy 500 debut, then fourth and then second in 2022 after being criticized for not being aggressive enough to compete for the win with Marcus Ericsson.
He never backed down last year, crashing out in the race to win, while O’Ward was making time in the final laps (he and Newgarden traded the lead several times) and waiting to make the pass for the win on the final lap.
Newgarden quickly regained it after two turns.
“It’s hard to put into words. We were going backwards, forwards, backwards and some people were driving like crazy,” O’Ward said. “There were a few times where the race was almost over. Again, it was so close. … I tried things with this car that I never thought I’d be able to do. It’s always heartbreaking when you’re so close, especially when it’s not the first time and you don’t know what your chances are.”
The win was an incredible comeback for Newgarden, who was disqualified from winning the season-opening race in March last month because Team Penske had illegal push-to-pass software in its cars. Newgarden used extra horsepower three times in his victory, but it took IndyCar nearly six weeks to discover the Penske tampering.
Roger Penske, owner of the race team, IndyCar, Indy 500 and Speedway, suspended four crew members, including team president Tim Cindric, which was a big blow to Newgarden as Cindric is considered the series’ best strategist.
Newgarden was excited to get the win and put his passing scandal behind him.
“Of course they can say whatever they want. It doesn’t matter to me anymore,” he said.
The start of the race was delayed by four hours because of rain, ruining NASCAR star Kyle Larson’s chances of running “The Double.” Delays at Indy caused him to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Larson performed reasonably well throughout the day, but made a couple of rookie mistakes and finished in 18th place. Within minutes of the race finishing, he was in a helicopter waiting to board a flight to North Carolina.
“I’m proud of the finish, but disappointed in myself,” said Larson, who has a two-year contract with Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports for Indy and could return in 2025.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon was the best-placed Honda driver, finishing in third place, followed by O’Ward’s teammate Alexander Rossi for Arrow McLaren Racing. Chevrolet claimed three of the top four places.
