IndyCar Series

A late penalty in the pit area by Scott Dixon opened things up for Marcus Ericsson to take the checkered flag at the 2022 Indianapolis 500 in a thrilling finish Sunday. 

Ericsson and Pato O'Ward were in a virtual deadlock in the two-lap showdown when the final lap began. They were separated by .013 seconds when the white flag came out. Ericsson was able to create a little bit of breathing room coming around the first turn to hold on for the win. 

This moment right here. 🤯

What an ending to the #Indy500. pic.twitter.com/mUzDpgYhoH

— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 29, 2022

Each of the top four finishers all started inside the top 10, including Ericsson from the No. 5 spot in the second row. O'Ward, Tony Kanaan and Felix Rosenqvist rounded out the top four. 

2022 Indianapolis 500 Results

1. Marcus Ericsson

2. Pato O'Ward

3. Tony Kanaan

4. Felix Rosenqvist

5. Alexander Rossi

6. Conor Daly

7. Helio Castroneves

8. Simon Pagenaud

9. Alex Palou

10. Santino Ferrucci

11. Juan Pablo Montoya

12. JR Hildebrand

13. Josef Newgarden

14. Graham Rahal

15. Will Power

16. David Malukas

17. Kyle Kirkwood

18. Christian Lundgaard

19. Ed Carpenter

20. Devlin DeFrancesco

21. Scott Dixon

22. Marco Andretti

23. Sage Karam

24. Jack Harvey

25. Takuma Sato

26. Dalton Kellett

27. Stefan Wilson

28. Jimmie Johnson

29. Scott McLaughlin

30. Colton Herta

31. Romain Grosjean

32. Callum Ilott

33. Rinus VeeKay

Dixon and O'Ward were in a close battle for the top spot throughout most of the race. Dixon appeared to be in control when he made a pit stop with 25 laps remaining, but he was called for a speeding violation when his car locked up that cost him a lap. 

Scott Dixon locks up on his way into the pits and gets a pit lane speeding violation. #indy500

📺: NBC and @peacockTV pic.twitter.com/gBpP6XiG1Y

— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 29, 2022

"Are you serious?!"

Just like that, another #Indy500 win slips away for @scottdixon9 after a pit lane speed violation.

WATCH LIVE: @NBC and @PeacockTV#INDYCAR // @IMS // @CGRTeams pic.twitter.com/uwvxXOfW5q

— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 29, 2022

After Dixon was penalized, Helio Castroneves, last year's champion, briefly moved into the No. 2 spot. He was eventually passed and slowed down on the final stretch to come in seventh place. 

The drama increased in the homestretch of the race, as a red flag with four laps left paused the action before a restart. Jimmie Johnson, who briefly took the lead with 12 laps to go in his first career Indianapolis 500, crashed into the wall hard, leading to the flag. 

Jimmie Johnson officially leads a lap in the Indy 500 thanks to staying out longer than anyone. Obviously wasn't the day he had in mind, but he's still out there running.

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 29, 2022

Ericsson was in the lead when the race resumed. He had a significant advantage over the rest of the field before Johnson crashed. The brief pause and restart gave hope to the drivers directly behind the Swedish star. 

The win marked Ericsson's first at the Indy 500 and third of his IndyCar career. He has four top-10 finishes in six races this year.

"I couldn't believe it," Ericsson said after his victory. "I was praying so hard there wasn't going to be another yellow."

This also marks the first Indianapolis 500 win for Chip Ganassi Racing since 2012 (Dario Franchitti). 

Ericsson was the least spoken-of Chip Ganassi Racing driver entering the 500.

— Scott Dixon eyeing an elusive second 500 win.
— Tony Kanaan’s eternal speed at Indy.
— Alex Palou the series’ defending champion.
— Jimmie Johnson making his race debut.

Marcus Ericsson wins it all.

— Zach Sturniolo (@zachstur) May 29, 2022

Dixon's costly penalty kept him from winning this event for the first time in 14 years. He wound up in 21st place overall, his fourth-worst finish at the Indianapolis 500. The Iceman has finished outside the top 15 after starting on the pole each of the past two years. 

After Sunday's race, Ericsson now holds the top spot in the IndyCar Series standings. He has 226 points overall, 13 more than Pato O'Ward (213). Alex Palou (212) and Will Power (202) are the only other drivers with at least 200 points. 

The next race is the Grand Prix of Belle Isle on June 5 in Detroit. 

It all came down to the final two laps.

Jimmie Johnson's crash with just four laps to go forced a red flag, essentially setting up a two-lap sprint to the finish. That left Marcus Ericsson, who had a solid lead before the crash, to defend his advantage in far more hectic circumstances.

But defend it he did, holding off Pato O'Ward's attempts to pass him to win the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500. 

This moment right here. 🤯

What an ending to the #Indy500. pic.twitter.com/mUzDpgYhoH

— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 29, 2022

"I couldn't believe it," Ericsson said on the NBC broadcast about the red flag after his win. "You can never take anything for granted, and obviously there were still laps to go, and I was praying so hard it was not going to be another yellow. But I knew it was probably going to be one. It was hard to sort of refocus, but I knew the car was amazing. ... It was still hard, I had to do everything in the end to keep them behind."

"I can't believe it. I'm so happy."

A jubilant @Ericsson_Marcus basks in his #Indy500 victory.#INDYCAR // @CGRTeams pic.twitter.com/Eo3u2S6YJ6

— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 29, 2022

It was Ericsson's first Indianapolis 500 victory, his first win on the season and the third of his career.

O'Ward finished second, with Tony Kanaan, Felix Rosenqvist and Alexander Rossi rounding out the top five.

Marcus Ericsson has become the 2nd Indianapolis 500 winner from Sweden, joining Kenny Bräck who won in 1999.

It's the first Indy 500 win for Chip Ganassi Racing since 2012. pic.twitter.com/Nmpn1Io5Cn

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 29, 2022

I could NOT be happier for Marcus. The loveliest man. Congratulations my friend. So richly deserved. @Ericsson_Marcus https://t.co/NdTwdRShat

— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) May 29, 2022

Ericsson was the least spoken-of Chip Ganassi Racing driver entering the 500.

— Scott Dixon eyeing an elusive second 500 win.
— Tony Kanaan’s eternal speed at Indy.
— Alex Palou the series’ defending champion.
— Jimmie Johnson making his race debut.

Marcus Ericsson wins it all.

— Zach Sturniolo (@zachstur) May 29, 2022

Well, that was not the 2018 Sauber driver I'd have expected to take a massive win today. #F1 #Ericsson #Indy500

— Phillip Horton (@PHortonF1) May 29, 2022

It was a tough day for the front row of Scott Dixon, Alex Palou and Rinus VeeKay. Dixon, the pole-sitter, led for 95 of the 200 laps but was penalized for a speeding violation on a pit stop near the end of the race, eliminating him from contention.

Scott Dixon locks up on his way into the pits and gets a pit lane speeding violation. #indy500

📺: NBC and @peacockTV pic.twitter.com/gBpP6XiG1Y

— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 29, 2022

Palou, meanwhile, had to go to the back of the field after getting nicked for an unlucky illegal pit stop following a crash involving Callum Ilott. Because he had run out of fuel and wasn't going to be able to continue pace lapping, he was forced to pit while they were closed.

And VeeKay had a nasty crash against the wall in the 39th lap, ending his day prematurely.

Front row starter @RinusVeekay is out of the #Indy500 following a collision with the wall in turn 2.

(via @IndyCar)

📺 @nbc and @peacockTV pic.twitter.com/EDPWiQausT

— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 29, 2022

"We put the car on the front row. We were in P2, but it was tough out there. The car was a little bit free all race," VeeKay said after the crash. "Yeah, I just turned into Turn 2, the car gets loose. Once that happens, you're a passenger and couldn't do anything. Yeah, just a bummer, really. I think we had a good shot at a good finish or maybe a win. But yeah, just caught me off guard."

Turn 2 also claimed Johnson, Ilott and Romain Grosjean, proving to be the track's trickiest conundrum on an exciting day of racing.

A day that ultimately belonged to Ericsson, an unexpected but deserving winner.

Scott Dixon has been a fixture on the front row of the Indianapolis 500 over the last decade, but he has been unable to secure his second victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

The six-time IndyCar Series champion sits on pole for the second straight year after he dropped the fastest speed in the race's qualifying history.

Dixon produced a four-lap average of 234.046 miles per hour, highlighted by a second-lap speed of 234.162 miles per hour to start first on Sunday. 

Dixon's quest to return to Victory Lane at Indy for the first time since 2008 faces challenges from a handful of young drivers. 

Alex Palou and Rinus VeeKay start alongside Dixon on the front row. Both drivers are looking to earn their first victories in the prestigious open-wheel racing event. 

Starting on the front row is typically a good sign for race day. Three of the last four Indy 500 winners came from the first three positions on the starting grid. 

     

Indy 500 Starting Grid

Row 1: Scott Dixon (pole), Alex Palou, Rinus VeeKay

Row 2: Ed Carpenter, Marcus Ericsson, Tony Kanaan

Row 3: Pato O'Ward, Felix Rosenqvist, Romain Grosjean

Row 4: Takuma Sato, Will Power, Jimmie Johnson

Row 5: David Makulas, Josef Newgarden, Santino Ferrucci

Row 6: Simon Pagenaud, JR Hildebrand, Conor Daly

Row 7: Callum Ilott, Alexander Rossi, Graham Rahal

Row 8: Sage Karam, Marco Andretti, Devlin DeFrancesco

Row 9: Colton Herta, Scott McLaughlin, Helio Castroneves

Row 10: Kyle Kirkwood, Dalton Kellett, Juan Pablo Montoya

Row 11: Christian Lundgaard, Jack Harvey, Stefan Wilson

Full list of qualifying speeds can be found here on the track's official website. 

   

Recent Indy 500 history suggests that Scott Dixon, Alex Palou and Rinus VeeKay have the best chances of crossing the finish line in first place. 

Will Power won from third in 2018, Simon Pagenaud took the pole and the race win in 2019, and Takuma Sato began his 2020 victory in third place. 

Helio Castroneves broke that streak last season, but he was not too far down in the starting order. The Brazilian started on Row 3 in eighth position. 

Alexander Rossi was the last Indy 500 winner to emerge from Row 4 or worse when he won as a rookie in 2016. 

Dixon, Palou and VeeKay should be considered favorites to win the race because they can avoid traffic from the start if they get in front, and their qualifying speeds were far better than any other drivers. 

Palou and VeeKay clocked in over an average of 233 miles per hour. Palou's first of four qualifying laps was over 234 miles per hour. 

Eight of the nine drivers starting on Rows 1-3 recorded an average lap speed of at least 232 miles per hour in qualifying. 

Unless the back of the pack picks up their pace, one of those drivers has to be considered as the potential champion on Sunday. 

Dixon carries the most experience of those drivers, but he did not have success from the pole position in 2021. The New Zealander finished in 17th place and led just seven laps. 

Palou and VeeKay were two of three drivers to lead more than 30 laps last May. Conor Daly led the most laps with 40. 

The experience gained from being out in the lead last year could be vital for Palou and VeeKay if one of them get into the front from the start. 

Other drivers could surge to the front by way of a fast car, or a different pit strategy than the leaders. Daly started in 19th place and led the most laps last year. 

The recent results at Indy tell us that the fastest cars from qualifying typically are near the front during the final laps of the race. 

Dixon, Palou and VeeKay, as well as the next few starters below them, should be in the mix for the victory as long as they avoid wrecks or bad pit stops on Sunday.   

Former NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson announced Wednesday he will make a full transition to IndyCar in 2022, including the Indy 500:

I’m going #FullTime next year! I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the @Carvana machine for the full @INDYCAR season, including the #Indy500. #NoFinishLines pic.twitter.com/pCOUno42To

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) December 15, 2021

The 46-year-old was a seven-time champion of the NASCAR Cup Series before retiring from full-time participation in 2020. He began competing in IndyCar last year but avoided oval courses while limiting himself to street and road tracks.

Johnson will now compete full-time next year for Chip Ganassi Racing in all 17 events.

"I'm really excited about this next chapter of my career and competing in the No. 48 with Carvana for the 2022 season," he said, per Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press. "The safety of these cars has come so far, and after I tested the ovals at Texas and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I realized this was a challenge I wanted to undertake."

Johnson struggled during his rookie season in IndyCar, ending the year 26th in the point standings while his best finish in any race was 17th at both Laguna Seca and Long Beach.

He skipped the Indy 500 in May, the biggest event on the calendar.

There is still plenty of potential for a driver who won 83 races in NASCAR, including two at the Daytona 500. His seven titles are tied for the most all time alongside Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

Johnson will try to join Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt as the only drivers ever to win the Daytona 500 and Indy 500 in their careers.    

Al Unser Sr., one of four drivers to hold the record for Indianapolis 500 wins, died at his home in New Mexico on Thursday. He was 82 years old.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced the news Friday:

An icon and hero to racing fans around the world.

A history-making and beloved member of the #IMS family.

4-time #Indy500 winner Al Unser has passed away at age 82.

Godspeed, racer. pic.twitter.com/PnCm38MOZX

— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) December 10, 2021

Unser's first appearance in the Indy 500 came in 1965, and he remained a stalwart in the sport's marquee event through 1994, a three-decade run that included victories in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987.

The New Mexico native also won three Indy car national championships and recorded 39 victories during his career. He was inducted in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1998.

His four wins in the Indy 500 are among nine by the legendary Unser racing family. His brother Bobby won three and his son, Al Unser Jr., captured two.

My heart is so saddened. My father passed away last night. He was a Great man and even a Greater Father. Rest In Peace Dad!🙏♥️🙏

— Al Unser Jr TM (@alunserjr) December 10, 2021

Bobby Unser died in May, and his son, Bobby Jr., died in June.

Al Unser Sr. remains the oldest winner in Indy 500 history at age 47 in 1987.

"I will always remember Big Al welcoming me to the speedway," fellow four-time winner Helio Castroneves told the Associated Press on Friday. "He and Johnny Rutherford were the two helping me with my rookie orientation. He will be missed."

A.J. Foyt and Rick Mears are the event's other four-time winners.

Unser's other honors include induction in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

IndyCar driver Felix Rosenqvist was involved in a single-car crash at the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix on Saturday. He remains awake and alert but was transferred to a local hospital for further observation. 

The 29-year-old was heading into Turn 6 when his throttle appeared to get stuck, sending him barreling into a wall of tires that sent his car skyward and pushed the wall back. Officials quickly raised the red flag as emergency crews raced to check on him. 

I’m doing ok, except alot of soreness! Thanks for all the messages and to the @IndyCar medical staff for looking after me. What a race we had going til that point, bummer... Big congrats to @Ericsson_Marcus on his first W, happy for you bro 🤘🏻 https://t.co/ue9AxWpxCP

— Felix Rosenqvist (@FRosenqvist) June 13, 2021

"He was conscious and alert the entire time, never lost consciousness. He was talking the entire time, and he's having some soreness," IndyCar director of medical services Dr. Geoffrey Billows told the NBC broadcast. "He had no loss of sensation anywhere, no loss of function, and we were able to get him out of the car."

UPDATE: Dr. Geoffrey Billows provides an update on @FRosenqvist. #INDYCAR // #DetroitGP // @detroitgp pic.twitter.com/4p2jHSuq4H

— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) June 12, 2021

The Swedish native is in his third IndyCar season and was named Rookie of the Year in 2019. 

As the driver of the Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet, things have been a bit more difficult for Rosenqvist this year. After finishing 12th at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the Formula E product has progressively found himself with worse results. He completed last month's Indianapolis 500 in 27th place after starting 17th and was in 25th at the time of his crash Saturday in Michigan despite starting 14th. 

Rosenqvist was originally taken to the IndyCar medical facility on site before doctors sent him to an undisclosed hospital for further imaging and care. He was seen in a neck brace after exiting his car as he left the track. 

Billows said there was no muscular or skeletal damage observed during preliminary exams on site. 

Helio Castroneves etched his name in history after winning the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500.

The driver earned his fourth career victory in the historic race after beating Alex Palou across the finish line Sunday. The win was Castroneves' first at Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 2009, but it ties him for the most Indy 500 victories in the history of the sport with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears.

The No. 6 car pulled ahead of Palou in the final few laps and earned the win by 0.4928 seconds.

Pole-winner Scott Dixon finished in 17th place.

---

Indianapolis 500 Results

1. Helio Castroneves

2. Alex Palou

3. Simon Pagenaud

4. Pato O'Ward

5. Ed Carpenter

6. Santino Ferrucci

7. Sage Karam

8. Rinus VeeKay

9. Juan Pablo Montoya

10. Tony Kanaan

Full results available at IndyCar.com.

---

There were 33 entries in the 200-lap race, but there were arguably four real contenders over the final 50 laps.

Alex Palou, Helio Castroneves, Pato O'Ward and Simon Pagenaud paced themselves well with their pit stops before battling for positioning over the final dozen laps.

The big move came with two laps to go as Castroneves blew right past Palou for the lead.

The pass that clinched #Indy500 No 4⃣.

Holding your nerve on the final lap.

Re-live the gripping closing moments of a chaotic race as Helio Castroneves wins at the Brickyard! 🇧🇷💪🇺🇸#SkyF1 | #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/Yyp4fqrrkX

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 30, 2021

Every fan is on their feet!@h3lio takes the lead!#ThisIsMay | #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/nymtvWjEBk

— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 30, 2021

The 46-year-old held on for the victory before a raucous celebration:

CLIMB THAT FENCE, @H3LIO!

HELIO CASTRONEVES HAS JOINED THE FOUR-TIME #INDY500 WINNERS CLUB! pic.twitter.com/z4NjX2VmMv

— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 30, 2021

It was a memorable finish to an outstanding race from the veteran driver.

Scott Dixon looked like an early favorite starting on the pole, but his lead didn't last long as Colton Herta and then Rinus VeeKay quickly moved to the front. It might have been part of the plan for Dixon, but his strategy backfired about 30 laps into the race when some drama on pit road led to a shakeup in the standings.

REPLAY: Heartbreak for @stef_Wilson after this incident in pit lane.

📺: @NBC
📲: INDYCAR Mobile - https://t.co/vyuISIgHnX#INDYCAR // #INDY500 pic.twitter.com/D4ve2c552a

— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 30, 2021

Disaster for Scott Dixon!

The #Indy500 pole-sitter is going the wrong way as he goes a lap down at @IMS. Watch on @NBC. pic.twitter.com/oLn72Y9D8o

— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 30, 2021

Looks like Rossi having the same issues.

Disastrous for two former winners. https://t.co/axXdql00Yk

— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) May 30, 2021

Stefan Wilson's day ended prematurely with the accident, while Dixon and Alexander Rossi fell a lap behind. Wilson was still the only driver out of the race at the halfway point, the fewest in Indy 500 history, per SpeedFreaks.

At the front of the race, VeeKay and Conor Daly each led the pack for extended stretches until deciding to pit. A variety of names continued to cycle to the front as the race continued, but no one could take control.

8 drivers have led at least 1 lap in this #Indy500 (Palou, Castroneves, O'Ward, Daly, Dixon, Herta, VeeKay, Rahal) through 114 laps. 14 drivers led in the 2013 race.

— Scott Horner (@ScottEHorner) May 30, 2021

The biggest movement came on the 119th lap when Graham Rahal lost a wheel and eventually hit the wall. 

Graham Rahal loses a wheel and hits the wall in the #Indy500.

The wheel then hits Conor Daly's aeroscreen, but Daly is able to continue. TV: @NBC. pic.twitter.com/dIeS5zg5qt

— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 30, 2021

Rahal had been conserving fuel but lost his chance to win with the crash.

Takuma Sato and Felix Rosenqvist eventually moved in front, although they each needed to refuel before top contenders Palou, Castroneves, O'Ward and Pagenaud.

It eventually came down to Palou and Castroneves, and the more experienced driver came out in front. 

The season continues with the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix races on June 12 and 13, giving Castroneves plenty of time to celebrate his latest victory.

Scott Dixon has had a perfect buildup to the 2021 Indianapolis 500. 

The six-time IndyCar Series champion won pole last Sunday and topped the practice chart on Friday.

Dixon has not won the Indy 500 since 2008, but everything points to him at least being in contention for the victory for most of Sunday's 200-mile competition. 

The New Zealander will be partnered by Colton Herta and Rinus VeeKay on the front row, while Ed Carpenter, Tony Kanaan and Alex Palou will try to make early moves to the front from Row 2. 

Dixon is one of nine former Indy 500 champions in the field. Reigning champion Takuma Sato starts in 15th place.

        

Indianapolis 500 Info

Date: Sunday, May 30

Start Time: 12:45 p.m. ET 

TV: NBC broadcast begins at 11 a.m. ET 

Live Stream: NBCSports.com or NBC Sports app

Starting Lineup: The full starting lineup can be found here. 

    

Dixon was the only driver to top 228 miles per hour on Friday, which is known as Carb Day during Indy 500 weekend. 

The overall average speed was three miles per hour less than what Dixon recorded last Sunday, when he captured pole during the "Fast Nine" portion of qualifying.

Herta and VeeKay were in the bottom third of speed on Carb Day, but that may not be an indicator of where they will land on Sunday. 

The two other front-row starters did not run as many laps as others on Friday, and they need to save their speed for the 500-mile race. 

Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud, who were second and third on Carb Day, ran 89 and 93 laps, respectively, while Dixon only ran 47 circuits around the track. 

Pagenaud and Newgarden's success is a positive development for the Chevrolet cars. VeeKay and Ed Carpenter were the only Chevrolet drivers to crack the "Fast Nine". 

If the speed translates to Sunday, there could be a more level playing field between the two manufacturers. 

Will Power and Pagenaud won for Chevrolet in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Sato pulled back the title for Honda in 2020 with his second win in four years. 

Sato is one of the few former champions who could cause Dixon trouble throughout the race. He won in August by only leading 23 laps. 

Three-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves, 2016 winner Alexander Rossi, 2013 champion Tony Kanaan and Ryan Hunter-Reay, who took first in 2014, all start inside the top 10.

One of those experienced drivers could take over in early battles with the younger racers, like Herta and VeeKay, who have three Indy 500 starts between them. 

In addition to the Chevrolet-versus-Honda battle, the tussle between experienced and younger drivers should take center stage on Sunday. 

Rossi was the last Indy 500 rookie to win in 2016 and a majority of the winners in the last decade were aged in their 30s or 40s.

           

Statistics obtained from IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com.