A year ago, Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren had a dream. As he lay in bed at night, he envisioned himself crossing the finish line of the Indy 500 ahead of everyone else. “I’ve been racing multiple Indy 500s in my mind, and it feels surreal,” he remarked last May. “You try to prepare yourself, but this race… it’s like no other.”
His dream nearly came true when he led early on, but ultimately, Joseph Newgarden zoomed past him, claiming victory. Instead of celebrating, O’Ward found himself in his car, overwhelmed, as his team offered comfort. It was a bittersweet moment—his second-place finish marked the first time in three years he had missed out on the top spot.
Reflecting on that emotional experience, O’Ward told Fox News Digital, “It was a moment of raw emotions, a mix of joy and pain. I just felt the weight of missing out on something monumental.” He continued, “I’m committed to making it happen, but sometimes, it feels so close yet so far. It’s part of being human.”
Looking forward to this year’s race, O’Ward remains optimistic despite previous challenges. “This time last year, I hadn’t even finished the race,” he laughed. “But when you can focus on the present instead of worrying about the past or future, it’s a special feeling.” It really is an extraordinary time of the year for him.
A year after that near victory, the sting of defeat lingers, but it’s also a source of learning. “You really have to lead in the final stint,” he said. “That’s crucial, but you never know—anything can change in an instant, especially with strategy shifts. Flexibility is key.”
Though he’s still hunting for his first victory this season, with two top-five and three top-ten finishes, he’s currently positioned fourth in the NTT IndyCar series. His last race, the Grand Prix in Indianapolis, was particularly noteworthy as he pushed hard. While he’s not yet picturing kissing the iconic bricks of the track, the memory of how close he was to achieving his dream fuels his determination.
“At this stage, a lot of factors come into play, but it’s not about luck. We put ourselves in a position to seize opportunities,” he expressed, having faith in his team’s ability to strategize for success. “There’s a strong sense of confidence there—we know the path to winning this race.”
The Indy 500, which will take place on May 25th, is one of the biggest events in his career, with pre-race coverage starting at 10 a.m. on Fox.
