The fastest 33-car field in race history continued to prove that things can change at any second. The Indianapolis 500 boasted a plenty of formidable starters. Alex Palou came in as the fastest pole position qualifier (234.217 mph). Four-time victor Helio Castroneves started in the seventh row, seeking a record fifth race victory. Defending champ Marcus Ericsson started from the fourth row. But it was Josef Newgarden to take the win after the race's third pivotal restart.
Newgarden, the 2017 and 2019 IndyCar Series Champion, now has his first-ever Indy 500 win.
Welcome to racing immortality!@josefnewgarden wins the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.#INDYCAR // @Team_Penske pic.twitter.com/z7OzGoLmKN
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 28, 2023
Pato O'Ward's late move leads to second red flag
With 40 laps remaining, America's Santino Ferrucci passed Ericsson to take the lead. But With 25 laps remaining, frantic movement put Pato O'Ward up front. O'Ward was in third place with eight laps remaining,
O'Ward had just been passed by Josef Newgarden for the lead. He was right under Ericsson as he entered Turn 2, and suddenly went into a spin. The race was red flagged with seven laps remaining. Agustín Canapino and Simon Pagenaud were also part of the collision.
"I was way too nice, I got onto the apron to give [Ericsson] room and I got squeezed," he said after he was released from the infield medical care center. "I'll remember that one."
Pato O'Ward HARD Crash#Indy500 pic.twitter.com/j9YepSCN5F
— Movement (@bellplswin) May 28, 2023
Kirkwood, Rosenqvist collide in final laps
Kyle Kirkwood and Felix Rosenqvist collided for a scary crash with 15 laps remaining. Felix Rosenqvist's car spun out of control, leaving Kyle Kirkwood with nowhere to go. Kirkwood flipped upside down and dragged, as one of his tires flew out of the track.
Kirkwood, who was conscious and claimed to only have knee pain, was quickly attended to by safety workers. The race was red-flagged, and Kirkwood eventually gave the crowd a thumbs up after it resumed. He was placed in an ambulance and taken to the infield care center for evaluation. After he was released, he spoke with the NBC's broadcasters. "Glad I'm okay but disappointed in that finish, no doubt," he said.
Harrowing moment at the Indy 500 as a tire is flung from Felix Rosenqvist's car, narrowly missing fans, and Kyle Kirkwood is flipped in the collision. pic.twitter.com/38NLWvUFqX
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 28, 2023
There were no reported injuries from the crowd, as the tire apparently hit a car in the parking lot. Had it made impact with a spectator,
Here’s where that flying tire impacted in turn 2
— Andrew Kossack (@AndrewKossack) May 28, 2023
@IMS #indy500 pic.twitter.com/MLexGcUu5q