Alex Palou finally got the one piece missing from his IndyCar resume: an Indianapolis 500 victory.
The three-time IndyCar Series champion passed Marcus Ericsson with 14 laps remaining and held off the 2022 Indy 500 winner and 2023 runner-up to win the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ under caution as Nolan Siegel crashed before the leaders took the checkered flag.
Palou, driving the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, became the first Spaniard to win the legendary race that dates back to 1911.
“I cannot believe it. It’s amazing to be here. It’s amazing to win,” an overwhelmed Palou said after climbing from his car. “First oval win. What better place.”
Palou had been the dominant driver in the NTT IndyCar Series in recent years, capturing season championships in 2021, 2023 and 2024. The 28-year-old won 13 races during that period, but surprisingly, none had come on an oval until Sunday.
“It was tough conditions out there, especially when you were like third or fourth in the pack,” Palou continued. “The team wanted me to lead, I wanted to lead obviously but I made it happen. I already lost my voice and I haven’t even started celebrating.”
Ericsson, driving the No. 28 Andretti Global Honda, finished second. He was followed by David Malukas in third, Pato O’Ward in fourth and Felix Rosenqvist in fifth.
Four-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves finished 13th, while two-time defending race winner Josef Newgarden finished 25th after suffering mechanical difficulties.
NASCAR star Kyle Larson, seeking to become the first driver since Tony Stewart in 2001 to complete the motor sports double – racing the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day – crashed on Lap 92 and finished 27th. He boarded a helicopter immediately after his crash to take a plane to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the marathon NASCAR Cup Series race.
USA TODAY Sports provided complete coverage of the 2025 Indianapolis 500. Scroll below for a recap and highlights of all the action:
Indy 500 2025 results: Top 10 finishers
Here are the top-10 finishers in the 2025 Indy 500 (with car number in parentheses, team and car manufacturer):
(10) Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda
(28) Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global, Honda
(4) David Malukas, A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Chevrolet
(5) Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet
(60) Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing, Honda
(27) Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global, Honda
(14) Santino Ferrucci, A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Chevrolet
(21) Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet
(7) Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet (76)
(76) Conor Daly, Juncos Hollinger Racing, Chevrolet
2025 INDY 500 RESULTS: Full finishing order from Sunday’s race
Indy 500 winner Alex Palou to attend Pacers playoff game
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis 500 winner Alex Palou said he would attend Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday night. He finished in plenty of time to kiss the bricks, drink the milk, celebrate with fans and conduct countless interviews before heading downtown.
The Indiana Pacers hold a 2-0 lead on the New York Knicks as they host the back end of the ‘Racers and Pacers’ doubleheader at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
‘That will be good,’ Palou said of catching the NBA playoff game in person as the new Indy 500 champion. — Scott Horner, IndyStar
Watch: Alex Palou kisses the brick at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Alex Palou had two very important things to do after winning the 2025 Indy 500: celebrate in victory lane with a bottle of milk then head back to the yard of bricks at the start-finish line for another Indianapolis Motor Speedway tradition. Kissing the bricks actually began when Dale Jarrett won NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 in 1996, but it soon became a tradition embraced by Indy 500 winners as well.
Chip Ganassi compares Alex Palou to Caitlin Clark
Chip Ganassi likes winners. That’s long been the motto of the IndyCar team owner, who added another title to his legacy with Alex Palou’s victory in the 109th running of the Indy 500.
Palou had become a household name in the Indianapolis area after winning three of the past four IndyCar Series championships, and capturing the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ will only add to his popularity. But the Spanish racer still has a ways to go to reach the status of Indiana’s favorite female, Caitlin Clark, currently one of the most famous women in all of sports.
Watch below as Ganassi compares the 2025 Indy 500 champion to the Indiana Fever All-Star during his post-race press conference.
Marcus Ericsson laments another runner-up finish at Indy 500
Marcus Ericsson has been one of the best racers at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in recent years, and the Swedish driver nearly got to celebrate again. After a nearly perfect final pit stop, the 2022 Indy 500 champion was leading with fewer than 20 laps remaining until Alex Palou passed him with 14 laps to go. Ericsson valiantly tried to chase Palou down in the closing laps but came up short, finishing 0.6822 seconds behind in the the 109th running of the legendary race.
‘Of course, finishing second is really tough. At the same time, congrats to Alex and Chip Ganassi Racing. Yeah, this one hurts, for sure,’ Ericsson said.
‘It’s just very frustrating. I was out in the lead there. I had that race covered and missed it. That’s going to be a tough one to swallow.’
It was the second time in three years the 34-year-old felt the sting of a missed opportunity after finishing second to Josef Newgarden in 2023 by a miniscule 0.0974 seconds.
Why does Indy 500 winner drink milk?
The tradition started in 1936 when Louis Meyer drank buttermilk in victory lane. According legend, Meyer drank the milk because his mother said it would refresh him on a hot day.
A dairy industry executive saw a photo of Meyer drinking the milk and decided to offer it to winners thereafter. The Indiana Dairy Association became an official sponsor in the 1950s, and these days every driver is asked what kind of milk they prefer — whole, skim or 2% — just in case they get the opportunity to celebrate with it.
Alex Palou was one of 29 drivers to select whole milk before the race. — Rachel Bowers
Alex Palou wins 2025 Indy 500
Three-time IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou passed Marcus Ericsson with 14 laps remaining and held off the 2022 Indy 500 winner and 2023 runner-up to win the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’ Palou, driving the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, had 13 career IndyCar wins entering the day but had never won on oval until taking the checkered flag in the biggest race in his sport.
Indy 500 Lap 180 leaderboard
Marcus Ericsson, the 2022 winner and 2023 runner-up, was perfect on his final pit stop, blending back into the field with the lead. Ericsson, who started ninth in the No. 28 Andretti Global Honda, was running on an alternate strategy than some of the other leaders. He can run full throttle to the end compared to the drivers chasing him, who might need to save fuel. Alex Palou, the three-time IndyCar Series champion, runs second, David Malukas third, Pato O’Ward fourth and Felix Rosenqvist fifth.
Indy 500 Lap 160 leaderboard update
Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2014 Indy 500 winner who is driving a one-off race for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports, leads the field with 40 laps remaining. The next five drivers are all seeking their first win in the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’ Conor Daly runs second, David Malukas third, three-time IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou fourth, Santino Ferrucci fifth and Felix Rosenqvist sixth. Marcus Ericsson, the 2022 winner and 2023 runner-up, races in seventh.
Josef Newgarden has fuel issue at Indy 500
Two-time defending Indianapolis 500 Josef Newgarden had raced his way through the field after starting 32nd following a qualifying penalty. Newgarden had moved all the way up to seventh when he came down pit lane for gas and tires. But after reentering the track, Newgarden was forced to come back down pit lane with a fuel pump issues. His Team Penske crew furiously tried to make repairs before announcing on Lap 140 of 200 that Newgarden was done for the day.
‘It’s tough not to have a shot at the end. I just wish we had a chance to fight for it,’ a disappointed Newgarden said.
Indy 500 Lap 110 leaderboard update
Following a number of caution laps after Kyle Larson’s big crash, Devlin DeFrancesco led the field to green, while Conor Daly made a big move to grab second place as drivers raced four-wide. David Malukas ran third, three-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou fourth and Santino Ferruci fifth. Defending race winner Josef Newgarden, who was forced to start at the rear of the field following a qualifying penalty, has raced his way up to ninth. Newgarden is seeking to become the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 three years in a row.
Kyle Larson’s double attempt comes to an end with crash
The historic Memorial Day weekend double attempt by Kyle Larson has come to an abrupt halt.
Larson, who had hoped to complete the Indy 500 and then jet roughly 430 miles to Charlotte, North Carolina, in time for NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, had his plans thwarted by a crash on Lap 92. Shortly after a green-flag restart, Larson lost control of his car as he was downshifting, causing him to spin out and slam into the outside wall. Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb were also caught up in the crash.
Larson is expected to continue his odyssey by flying by private jet to Charlotte Motor Speedway for this evening’s NASCAR race. The 2021 Cup Series champion was seeking to become the first driver since Tony Stewart in 2021 to complete the motor sports double.
‘Just hate that I got a little loose there on the restart and yeah, caused that crash. I hate it for everybody that also got caught up in it. Just bummed out,’ Larson said after getting checked and cleared in the medical center.
‘I’ll try to get over this quickly and get on to Charlotte and yeah, just forget about it and try to win next time.’ — Steve Gardner
Two top drivers have major issues on pit lane at Indy 500
Two-time winner Takuma Sato, who had been leading the race, skidded into his box on pit lane on a stop under caution and was forced to reverse back into his spot. Sato lost the lead and multiple positions on the stop.
Meanwhile, pole winner Robert Shwartzman had an even more disastrous stop, crashing into his crew members as he tried to stop in his box. The rookie, who shocked the motor sports world by earning the pole last Sunday, was racing in his first Indianapolis 500. His day came to an end with damage to his No. 83 Prema Racing Chevrolet.
Alexander Rossi’s car catches fire at Indy 500
Alexander Rossi, the 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner, caught a terrible break on Lap 75. Rossi brought his car down pit road for a splash of gas when his No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet caught fire as the crew was fueling the car. Rossi was forced to quickly climb out of his car as crews rushed to extinguish the flames, but the fueler was taken to the medical center to check for burns.
The 33-year-old Rossi was seeking his second Indy 500 win.
‘It’s always a terrible situation and it’s so disappointing. That was such a phenomenal race car,’ Rossi said after his race ended. ‘That’s what’s so painful about this place is you have to have so many things go right, and it’s disappointing because it’s another opportunity gone. But it’s the way it goes.’
Indy 500 Lap 50 leaderboard update
Fifty of 200 laps are complete in the 109th running of the Indy 500 with drivers hitting pit road under green nand shuffling up the leaderboard. Two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato has retaken the lead, followed by Indiana native Conor Daly.
Alexander Rossi takes lead as Indy 500 restart
Following a short caution for light rain and pit stops for most of the field, Alexander Rossi, the 2016 Indy 500 winner, assumed the lead and led the field to green on a restart on Lap 31. But Christian Rasmussen passed him nearly immediately, with Rossi falling back to second and Ed Carpenter third. Rossi resumed the lead on Lap 34 with a pass on his Ed Carpenter Racing teammate, Rasmussen.
Takuma Sato leads Indy 500 as caution waves for light rain
Two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato had taken the lead from pole sitter Robert Shwartzman and was leading the 109th running of the race on Lap 20 when the yellow flag came out for light rain. The start of the race had also been delayed for light rain.
Marco Andretti crashes on opening lap of Indy 500
The Andretti curse at Indianapolis has added yet another unfortunate chapter.
Marco Andretti, who started the race 29th in the Andretti Global Honda, collided with the car driven by Jack Harvey entering the first turn on the race’s first green lap (officially Lap 4) and was turned sideways into the outer wall.
It’s the second consecutive year Andretti will not finish in the Indy 500.
‘Once I was committed up there, I couldn’t move … I was kinda at the wall,’ Andretti told Fox Sports. ‘Whoever was next to me crowded me and I ran out of room.’
It also adds to his family’s misfortune at the Brickyard.
Not since family patriarch Mario Andretti did it 1969 has an Andretti family member won the Indianapolis 500. That, despite a number of close calls:
Mario having his win in 1981 overturned several months later on an appeal.
Marco’s father Michael having his car break down while leading with 11 laps to go in 1992.
Michael nearly being declared the winner in 2001 after a long rain delay, but blowing a tire after the race restarted.
And now Marco getting his second consecutive DNF at Indianapolis in what is expected to be his only start of the IndyCar season.
— Steve Gardner
Green flag waves for 2025 Indy 500
The 33 drivers in the field for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 have taken the green flag to start the race after a short rain delay. The Indy 500 is scheduled for 200 laps and 500 miles.
Scott McLaughlin crashes before Indy 500 goes green
Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin was eliminated from the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 when he crashed into inside wall during pace laps. McLaughlin was trying to warm up his tires by swerving on the track before the green flag flew but lost control on the cold track and slammed into the inside wall.
A devastated McLaughlin climbed out of his car and was visibly upset when his No. 3 Chevrolet was towed away. He was scheduled to start 10th on the inside of Row 4.
‘I can’t believe we’re out of the race. I had so much hope today,’ McLaughlin told Fox Sports.
‘By far, the worst moment of my life. I know it’s probably dramatic but … I put so much into this race. Everyone does. And I didn’t even get to see the green flag.’ — Steve Gardner
What time does the 2025 Indy 500 start?
The green flag for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET. Cars will begin arriving in pit lane between 9-9:20 a.m. ET, with the command to start engines at 12:38 p.m. ET.
What TV channel is 2025 Indy 500 on?
The 2025 Indianapolis 500 will air on Fox, with the race set to begin at 12:45 p.m. ET. Pre-race coverage on Fox will start at 10 a.m. ET.
2025 Indy 500: Live streaming options
Fans can stream the Indy 500 with the Fox Sports app and at FoxSports.com, as well as with Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.
Watch the 2025 Indy 500 on Fub
Weather updates for 2025 Indy 500
A few rain drips have started coming down at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, delaying the start of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. The rain is light, so the hope is that the race won’t be dayed too long. The forecast for today, according to AccuWeather, was for mostly cloudy skies with a high of 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
2025 Indy 500 starting lineup
Here are the drivers starting in the first four rows on Sunday:
(Car number in parentheses, followed by driver, team, manufacturer; R=rookie; W=former winner)
(83) Robert Shwartzman (R), Prema Racing, Chevrolet
(75) Takuma Sato (W), Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda
(5) Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet
(9) Scott Dixon (W), Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda
(60) Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing, Honda
(10) Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda
(4) David Malukas, A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Chevrolet
(7) Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet
(28) Marcus Ericsson (W), Andretti Global, Honda
(3) Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske, Chevrolet
(76) Conor Daly, Juncos Hollinger Racing, Chevrolet
(20) Alexander Rossi (W), Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet
STARTING GRID: Click here for full 33-car starting lineup
Why were Josef Newgarden and Team Penske penalized?
Josef Newgarden is the two-time defending Indy 500 champion and is looking to become the first driver to win the legendary event three years in a row. But in the leadup to Sunday’s race, Newgarden is drawing attention for another reason: the controversy and fallout at his race team.
The IndyCar Series determined Team Penske made illegal modifications to some of their cars, including Newgarden’s, during Indy 500 qualifying, and penalized the drivers by fining them and forcing them to start at the rear of the field. Roger Penske, who owns the race team – and also owns Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series – fired the entire leadership of his IndyCar team in the wake of the scandal, making Newgarden’s attempt at a three-peat even more difficult.
— Jon Hoefling
Kyle Larson set for rare Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 double
The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion is attempting ‘The Double’ on Sunday by racing in both the Indy 500 for Arrow McLaren and the Coca-Cola 600 for Hendrick Motorsports. He’s ranked 10th to win the Indy 500 and the favorite to win the Coca-Cola 600, per BetMGM’s latest odds.
‘I enjoy challenges and I enjoy trying to learn on the fly,’ Larson told USA TODAY Sports ahead of his second attempt to drive in both events.
A rain delay at the Indy 500 last year kept Larson from making it to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600. With no rain in the weather forecast for Indianapolis, he’s ready for another attempt this year.
‘I wouldn’t be doing it, obviously, if I didn’t feel like I had a shot to win both,’ said Larson, who starts 19th at the Brickyard on the inside of Row 7.
— Ayrton Ostly
Who won the pole for the 2025 Indy 500?
Prema Racing driver Robert Shwartzman is in pole position for the 2025 Indianapolis 500, the first rookie to qualify first since 1983. The Russian-Israeli driver posted a four-lap average speed of 232.790 miles-per-hour, nosing ahead of two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato. — Jason Anderson
What is the race distance of the 2025 Indy 500?
In keeping with tradition, the 2025 Indianapolis 500 is 200 laps around the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a total of 500 miles.
Who is the honorary starter for the 2025 Indy 500?
The honorary starter at the 2025 Indianapolis 500 will be Casey Irsay Foyt.
Irsay Foyt ‘will wave the flag to honor the irreplaceable and impactful legacy of her father, Jim Irsay, whose stewardship of the Indianapolis Colts and generous philanthropic efforts had a transformative impact across Central Indiana and the Hoosier State,’ per a press release from Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jim Irsay, who owns the Colts, passed away Wednesday at the age of 65.
On top of her connections to the city of Indianapolis, Irsay Foyt is also very close to the world of motor racing. Her husband, A.J. Foyt IV, drove in IndyCar and NASCAR, and is the grandson of four-time Indy 500 champions A.J. Foyt. — Jason Anderson
Who is pace car driver for the 2025 Indy 500?
Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan will drive the pace car at the 2025 Indianapolis 500. Strahan, now a host on ‘Good Morning America’ and a member of Fox’s NFL studio team, will drive a white 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to pace the cars before the rolling start at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. — Jason Anderson
Odds to win 2025 Indy 500
Drivers with the best odds to win 2025 Indianapolis 500 via BetMGM as of Sunday morning
1. Pato O’Ward (+450)
2. Alex Palou (+475)
3. Josef Newgarden (+725)
4. Scott Dixon (+750)
5. Takuma Sato (+1000)
6. Scott McLaughlin (+1100)
7. Felix Rosenqvist (+1700)
8. Will Power (+2000)
9. Robert Shwartzman (+2200)
T10. David Malukas (+2500)
T10. Christian Lundgaard (+2500)
T10. Kyle Larson (+2500)
T10. Alexander Rossi (+2500)
Does David Letterman have a car in the 2025 Indy 500?
From the start, he’s partnered with former Indianapolis 500 champion Bobby Rahal in what’s now known as Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL).
David Letterman’s team has four drivers in the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500:
Takuma Sato, a two-time Indy 500 (2017 and 2020), posted the second-fastest time in qualifying. He will start in the middle of the front row in the No. 75 RLL Honda.
Devlin DeFrancesco, a 25-year-old Canadian driver, is in his first season with RLL. He qualified 16th in the No. 30 Honda
Louis Foster: The British driver is a rookie in the IndyCar Series and will make his Indy 500 debut on Sunday. He starts 20th in the No. 45 RLL Honda.
Graham Rahal, the son of team owner Bobby Rahal and a six-time IndyCar series winner, is in his 18th season on the IndyCar circuit. He will start 28th in the No. 15 RLL Honda. (Fun fact: Graham Rahal once presented a Top 10 list on Letterman’s ‘Late Show’ in 2013.)
— Steve Gardner
Most wins in Indy 500 history
The record for most Indianapolis 500 wins is four, held by four people: A.J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977), Al Unser (1979, 1971, 1978, 1987), Rick Mears (1979, 1984, 1988, 1991), and Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021).
Five drivers have won the Borg-Warner Trophy three times:
Louis Meyer (1928, 1933, 1936)
Wilbur Shaw (1937, 1939, 1940)
Bobby Unser (1968, 1975, 1981)
Johnny Rutherford (1974, 1976, 1980)
Dario Franchitti (2007, 2010, 2012)
INDIANAPOLIS CHAMPIONS: See the full list of Indy 500 winners by year
2025 Indy 500 picks and predictions
Nathan Brown, IndyStar motor sports reporter: Alex Palou to win
Brown writes, ‘Is it predictable? Yes, but Palou has proven over the course of the last three months that picking against him is largely silly. He’s yet to win on an oval in his career, but the championship leader checks that box with the help of a pit crew that’s been nearly flawless all year and a car that’s been near the top of the charts virtually every session this month.’
Aaron Ferguson, IndyStar motor sports editor: Scott Dixon to win
Ferguson writes: It would be a statement weekend for (Chip) Ganassi to win after being outspoken about (Team) Penske. Dixon won in 2008 and has finished second three times and has five poles, so I’m trusting the veteran.’
Dana Hunsinger Benbow, IndyStar enterprise reporter: Takuma Sato to win
Benbow writes: ‘This two-time Indy 500 champ has the skill, the experience and the IMS wisdom to become the oldest winner in history at 48.’
STAFF PICKS: Click here for more expert predictions from IndyStar