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INDIANAPOLIS — The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 delivered one of the most dramatic finishes ever seen at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as Felix Rosenqvist captured his first Indianapolis 500 victory Sunday, edging David Malukas by just 0.0233 seconds — the closest finish in race history.
With one lap remaining, it appeared Malukas was on his way to a breakthrough victory after making a bold move around race leader Marcus Armstrong on the final restart. Meanwhile, Meyer Shank Racing teammates Rosenqvist and Armstrong battled side-by-side down the backstretch and through Turn 4.
Rosenqvist, however, found one final burst of speed. He slipped behind Malukas and executed a stunning outside move in the closing feet of the race to take the checkered flag at the Yard of Bricks.
The victory marked only the second IndyCar win of Rosenqvist’s career in 120 starts and came during an emotional month for the Swedish driver following the recent birth of his first child. He also became just the third driver from Sweden to win the Indianapolis 500, joining Kenny Bräck and Marcus Ericsson.
The final laps were filled with chaos and drama.
A red flag flew with seven laps remaining after Indy 500 rookie Caio Collet crashed heavily, with flames briefly visible from his car as it slid into the grass. Following a 10-minute stoppage, the field returned to green and immediately produced more fireworks.
Armstrong and Malukas quickly surged forward while Rosenqvist and Pato O’Ward fought to stay in contention. Another caution came out with 3.5 laps to go after Mick Schumacher made contact with the wall in Turn 2, setting up a winner-take-all sprint to the finish.
On the decisive Lap 200 restart, Malukas powered past Armstrong and appeared poised to secure his first Indy 500 victory. But Rosenqvist tracked him down in the closing moments and completed the race-winning move in the final stretch.
After climbing from his car, Rosenqvist celebrated Indianapolis tradition by drinking milk and pouring it over his head in victory lane.
For Malukas, the result was heartbreaking. The 24-year-old American was consoled by his father after narrowly missing out on what would have been the biggest victory of his career.
The previous closest Indy 500 finish came in 1992, when Al Unser Jr. defeated Scott Goodyear by 0.043 seconds.
Malukas’ Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin finished third, while Rosenqvist’s Meyer Shank teammate and close friend Pato O’Ward came home fourth. Armstrong rounded out the top five.
The race itself featured changing conditions and strategy battles throughout the afternoon. A 12-minute rain delay near the midway point altered pit plans, while the threat of additional weather kept teams adjusting strategy late into the event.
Defending Indy 500 champion and pole sitter Álex Palou led a race-high 59 laps and recorded 60 on-track passes, but faded late and finished seventh. Despite the result, Palou retained the IndyCar points lead.
Ironically, the rain stayed away until after Rosenqvist had already secured his place in Indianapolis 500 history.
