Josef Newgarden wins Indy 500 for second straight year after epic duel: Full highlights
The reigning Indy 500 champion is now a back-to-back champion.
Josef Newgarden battled Pato O'Ward Sunday in the closing laps of the 2024 Indy 500 as the Team Penske and Arrow McLaren drivers traded the lead multiple times as the laps wound down in 108th running of the legendary race.
But with one final pass on the white flag lap, Newgarden became the sixth driver to win consecutive Indianapolis 500s, giving team owner and Indianapolis Motor Speedway chairman Roger Penske his 20th win in the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Newgarden is the first driver since four-time winner Helio Castroneves in 2001 and 2002 to win the Indy 500 in consecutive years.
ONLY IN #INDYCAR.
ONLY AT THE #INDY500.
THIS IS — AND ALWAYS WILL BE — THE GREATEST SPECTACLE IN RACING! pic.twitter.com/NA0PxYhm5t— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 26, 2024
Newgarden bounded into the stands after climbing from his car to salute the fans in Indianapolis who endured a four-hour delay for rain before embracing his wife Ashley.
"Unbelievable. I love this crowd," an exhausted but ecstatic Newgarden said. "Honestly, that wore me out more than the race.
"I'm just proud of this team. They crushed it. I mean crushed it. They came here with the fastest cars. We worked our tails off. Team Chevy brought it.
"That's the way I wanted to win that."
Newgarden scored his 30th career IndyCar Series win after starting third in the race alongside two of his Penske teammates: Scott McLaughlin, who won the pole and 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power.
But it was heartbreak for Pato O'Ward, the popular Mexican driver who was seeking his first Indy 500 win after finishing second in the 2022 race behind Marcus Ericsson.
O'Ward had taken the lead back from Newgarden as the white flag waved for the final lap and held off the 33-year-old Tennessee native through the first two turns and down the backstretch. But Newgarden had one more move left, and he used it in Turn 3, speeding past the Arrow McLaren driver and holding on to take the checkered flag.
O'Ward, who turned 25 earlier in May, struggled to put the emotions of coming up one position short for the second time in three years into words.
Another heartbreaking P2 for Pato 💔#INDYCAR // @ArrowMcLaren pic.twitter.com/Sip7OenjFp
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 27, 2024
"I put that car through things I never thought it was gonna be able to do," O'Ward said. "Oh man, it’s just so painful when you put so much into it and then two laps short I guess. Or two corners short.
"We had so many near race enders, so close again. So (expletive) close."
O'WARD Frustrated after heartbreaking finish at 2024 Indy 500
Scott Dixon, the 2008 Indy 500 winner and a six-time IndyCar Series champion finished third, followed by 2016 winner Alexander Rossi, O'Ward's teammate at Arrow McLaren, in fourth. Two-time IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou, Dixon's teammate at Chip Ganassi Racing, came home fifth, while McLaughlin finished sixth.
"It’s always a heartbreak whenever you’re so close especially when it’s not the first time," O'Ward said. "You just don’t know how many opportunities like that you have."
BACK AND FORTH THEY GO!
LESS THAN 10 LAPS REMAIN AT INDY!
📺: #Indy500 on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/I36K2GIHMn— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 26, 2024
Newgarden got redemption in IndyCar's biggest race following a month when virtually the entire paddock questioned his integrity and that of Team Penske for the team’s push-to-pass scandal that cost Newgarden his season-opening win in St. Petersburg.
IndyCar officials leveled a massive penalty to the No. 2 team following an investigation of Team Penske for manipulating the overtake system at St. Petersburg, and Newgarden raced Sunday at Indianapolis without his strategist and lead engineer.
So, the celebratory milk was even more enjoyable for Newgarden, who celebrated with his crew in victory lane for the second consecutive year.
Tastes like victory. #INDYCAR // #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/RIcSX55RCM
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 27, 2024
Indy 500 back-to-back winners
1939-40: Wilbur Shaw
1947-48: Mauri Rose
1953-54: Bill Vukovich
1970-71: Al Unser
2001-02: Helio Castroneves
2023-24: Josef Newgarden
Kyle Larson finishes Indy 500, heads for Charlotte for Coca-Cola 600
NASCAR star Kyle Larson had an eventful day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, running among the top six in the second half of the race before a pit-road speeding penalty on Lap 132 of 200 spoiled his day.
The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who was making his Indy 500 debut, held his own against a full field of IndyCar stars, proving that one of motor sports' most verstaile drivers can indeed race open-wheel cars in the biggest race in the world.
Larson finished 18th in the 108th running of the Indy 500, unable to regain his position among the leaders following the drive-thru penalty. But he ran all 500 miles and said he "would definitely love to be back next year."
"I feel like I learned a lot throughout the race. I made a couple of mistakes," Larson said in a TV interview after the race ended. "I'm proud to finish but pretty upset at myself."
Immediately following his interview commitments and debrief, Larson boarded a helicopter at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to take him to a charter plane headed for Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Coca-Cola 600.
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Justin Allgaier started for Larson in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet but will give up the wheel to Larson when he arrives at Charlotte Motor Speedway to complete "the double."
Kyle Larson just completed his first Indy 500, finishing 18th.
Within 20 minutes, his helicopter has landed at the airport—where he’ll fly to Charlotte and race in the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.pic.twitter.com/FvktTROygO— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 27, 2024
17 minutes after the #Indy500 checkered flag, Kyle Larson’s chopper landed and he boarded his plane for Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/5WMPy1yGih
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) May 27, 2024
Kyle Larson is here. The 5 team is in pit shall 2, which made easier did the golf kart to bring Larson to the exit of the Xfinity Garage and a short jog to the box. pic.twitter.com/1PI1NIHgvq
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) May 27, 2024
2024 Indy 500 final results
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (2) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, Penske
2. (5) Pato O'Ward, Chevrolet, Arrow McLaren
3. (9) Scott Dixon, Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing
4. (7) Alexander Rossi, Chevrolet, Arrow McLaren
5. (10) Alex Palou, Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing
6. (3) Scott McLaughlin, Chevrolet, Penske
7. (27) Kyle Kirkwood, Honda, Andretti Global
8. (14) Santino Ferrucci, Chevrolet, AJ Foyt
9. (21) Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, Ed Carpenter Racing
10. (24) Conor Daly, Chevrolet, Dreyer & Reinbold-Cusick
11. (6) Callum Ilott, Chevrolet, Arrow McLaren
12. (33) Christian Rasmussen, Chevrolet, Ed Carpenter Racing
13. (45) Christian Lundgaard, Honda, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
14. (75) Takuma Sato, Honda, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
15. (15) Graham Rahal, Honda, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
16. (41) Sting Ray Robb, Chevrolet, AJ Foyt Racing
17. (20) Ed Carpenter, Chevrolet, Ed Carpenter Racing
18. (17) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, Arrow McLaren
19. (77) Romain Grosjean, Chevrolet, Juncos Hollinger Racing
20. (06) Helio Castroneves, Honda, Meyer Shank
21. (4) Kyffin Simpson, Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing
22. (78) Agustin Canapino, Chevrolet, Juncos Hollinger Racing
23. (26) Colton Herta, Honda, Andretti Global
24. (12) Will Power, Chevrolet, Penske
25. (98) Marco Andretti, Honda, Andretti Global
26. (23), Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dreyer & Reinbold-Cusick
27. (60) Felix Rosenqvist, Honda, Meyer Shank
28. (8) Linus Lundqvist, Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing
29. (51) Katherine Legge, Honda, Dale Coyne Racing
30. (11) Marcus Armstrong, Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing
31. (66) Tom Blomqvist, Honda, Meyer Shank
32. (28) Marcus Ericsson, Honda, Andretti Global
33. (30) Pietro Fittipaldi, Honda, Rahal Letterman Lanigan
2024 Indy 500 race recap
The IndyCar world turns its attention to Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday with the Indianapolis 500, where 33 drivers competed to win the 108th edition of the race.
USA TODAY Sports and the Indianapolis Star has the latest updates, news, highlights and more throughout the day. Follow along.
Dixon, Newgarden trade lead in final 30 laps of Indy 500
Reigning race winner Josef Newgarden and 2008 winner Scott Dixo have been trading the top spots with less than 30 laps to go in the Indy 500.
The Team Penske driver and the Chip Ganassi Racing driver have both made their final pit stops along with Arrow McLaren drivers Alexander Rossi and Pato O'Ward who are chasing.
Kyle Larson was in the lead with 20 laps remaining but has yet to make his pit stop.
Arrow McLaren drivers speed to lead at Indy 500
Alexander Rossi in the No. 7 Chevrolet and Pato O'Ward in the No. 5 Chevrolet, put Arrow McLaren into the lead with less than 50 laps remaining in the 2024 Indy 500.
Rossi, the 2016 Indy 500 winner, and O'Ward sped past Scott Dixon on a restart following clean-up on track for Will Power's crash.
All drivers will have to make one more pit stop in the scheduled 200-lap race.
Former Indy 500 winner Will Power crashes out of the race
Another former Indy 500 winner has exited the race when 2018 champion Will Power spun coming out of a turn on Lap 147 and hit the outside wall. Power's crash and the ensuing caution came seconds after 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon, playing a smart fuel strategy, assumed the race lead for the first time on Sunday.
Power, who started second, climbed from his No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet – his chance at a second Indy 500 victory in a crumbled heap along with his race car.
Kyle Larson penalized for speeding on pit road at Indy 500
Kyle Larson came down pit road on Lap 132 during green flag stops and locked up his tires trying to decelerate. But it was not enough as officials clocked the NASCAR star for speeding.
Larson was forced to come down pit road two laps later for a drive-thru penalty and fell from the top six down to 22nd and the tail end of the lead lap.
Marco Andretti goes for a spin at Indy 500
Marco Andretti became the latest star to crash during the 2024 Indy 500. The Andretti Global driver was driving mid-pack following a restart when his No. 98 Honda began wiggling before sliding up the track into the outside wall.
Andretti, the son of team owner Michael Andretti and legendary racer Mario Andretti, was competing in his 19th Indy 500.
Th race restarted on Lap 119 of 200 with Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden and Alexander Rossi battling for the top spot. NASCAR star Kyle Larson was sixth on the restart.
Two former Indy 500 winners made contact, sending one for a wild ride
Ryan Hunter-Reay, driving with a head of steam, pulled down low to try to make a pass on Scott Dixon on Lap 108 before his right front tire made contact with Dixon's left rear tire as Dixon was trying to block.
Hunter-Reay, the 2014 Indy 500 winner, went sideways into the grass before doing a 360-degree spin onto the track at over 200 miles per hour in his No. 23 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet.
The veteran racer managed to somehow save the car from hitting the wall as the rest of the field swerved to avoid him, but Hunter-Reay was forced to exit before with less than 100 laps remaining.
Dixon, the 2008 Indy 500 winner, avoided any major damage and pitted with the leaders under caution.
A 360-degree spin through the grass at over 200 mph?
Incredible.
📺: #Indy500 on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/5Biq7N5Y5B— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 26, 2024
Indy 500 hits halfway with Josef Newgarden in the lead; Kyle Larson in Top 10
Josef Newgarden assumed the lead at the halfway point of the race. The defending Indy 500 winner took his first lead of the day on Lap 101, when Christian Lundgaard hit pit road in his Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for a scheduled fuel stop.
Newgarden started third in the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet. At the halfway point, he leads Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin, who started on the pole, and AJ Foyt Racing's Santino Ferrucci.
NASCAR star Kyle Larson has raced his No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet up to the eighth position, just in front of four-time race winner Helio Castroneves.
One of pre-race favorites out of Indy 500 after crash
Colton Herta, who many people pegged as one of the favorites to win the 2024 Indy 500, is out following a crash on Lap 86.
The Andretti Global driver was running second behind pole sitter Scott McLaughlin when his No. 26 Honda wiggled coming around a turn. Herta lost control, before spinning and hitting the outside wall with his front tires.
The safety team helped him from his car and drove him to the infield care center, while his car was towed back to the garage. The Andretti Global team was able to make repairs and will try to send Herta back out to the track, though numerous laps down.
Honda drivers facing engine problems in 2024 Indy 500
Another caution flag came out on Lap 56 following another engine problem with a Honda.
Smoke poured out of Felix Rosenqvist's No. 60 Honda, and the Meyer Shank Racing driver was forced to pull over to the side as his engine expired.
Rosenqvist joins teammate Tom Blomqvist, who was involved in a Lap 1 crash, with an early retirement from the race. All seven drivers whose race has ended early were driving Hondas, though three were involved in an opening-lap crash and one spun out on Lap 28.
Scott McLaughlin dominating through 50 laps of Indy 500
Pole sitter Scott McLaughlin retook the lead on Lap 44 from the drivers who stayed out on the track during a Lap 23 caution. The Team Penske driver leads AJ Foyt Racing's Santino Ferrucci, Arrow McLaren's Alexander Rossi, Andretti Global's Colton Herta and Penske's Josef Newgarden, the defending race champion.
NASCAR star Kyle Larson is running ninth in his first Indy 500.
Six drviers have retired from the race.
Linus Lundqvist brings out another quick caution at Indy 500
Linus Lundqvist paid the price for the field's early aggression at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Chip Ganassi Racing rookie was racing at the bottom of the track in his No. 8 Honda following a restart on Lap 27, when cars went four-wide around him. Lundqvist caught the grass on Lap 28, before spinning out and hitting the outside wall.
Lundqvist becomes the second Ganassi driver, following Marcus Armstrong, to have an early exit at Indianapolis.
Caution flag waves for Katherine Legge
Katherine Legge, the only woman in the 2024 Indy 500, appeared to have an engine failure in her No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing Honda, on Lap 23. That marks the second Honda to have an engine problem in Sunday's race following Chip Ganassi Racing's Marcus Armstrong, who bowed out after 15 laps.
During the caution, nearly all of the lead drivers hit pit road for tires and fuel. Scott McLaughlin, who started from the pole and had led every lap of the race so far, restarted in fourth on Lap 27 when three other drivers stayed out.
2024 Indy 500 begins with crash on opening lap
After a delay of more than four hours, the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 went green and then immediately halted after a crash on the opening lap.
Rookie Tom Blomqvist, driving for Meyer Shank Racing, lost control of his No. 66 Honda and slammed into 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson, driving the No. 28 Andretti Global Honda. The incident also collected Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Pietro Fittipaldi in the No. 30 Honda.
TROUBLE right at the start!
Multiple cars involved in a Lap 1 incident!
📺: #Indy500 on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/7jXuG3oJ1F— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 26, 2024
Ericsson, Blomqvist and Fittipaldi are out of the race, as is Chip Ganassi Racing's Marcus Armstrong, who lost power in his No. 11 Honda.
The remaining drivers remained on the track, driving under caution, as safety workers reached the drivers and removed the cars from the track.
Green flag waves for 2024 Indy 500
After a four-hour delay, the green flag has been waved to start 108th running of Indianapolis 500. The race is scheduled for 500 miles, 200 laps around the 2.5-mile track.
Team Penske drivers swept the front row during last weekend's qualifying with Scott McLaughlin winning the pole, Will Power starting second and defending Indy 500 Josef Newgarden starting third.
NASCAR star Kyle Larson, who is attempting the Indy-Charlotte "double" – racing in the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 in the same day – started fifth
Roger Penske delivers command to start engines for 2024 Indy 500
Roger Penske, chairman and owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the NTT IndyCar Series, delivers the most famous words in motor sports: "Drivers, start your engines!"
Penske is also a team owner in IndyCar and NASCAR, and three of his drivers make up the front row for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Kyle Larson's 'double' attempt still on, with veteran racer lined up to start NASCAR race
With Kyle Larson choosing to stay in Indianapolis after the 2024 Indy 500 was delayed by rain, alternate plans had to be made by his NASCAR team, Hendrick Motorsports, for the start of tonight's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
If the Indy 500 had started on time, Larson would have been able to fly to Charlotte from Indianapolis before the start of the Cup Series race that is scheduled to go green shortly after 6 p.m. ET. Now that the Indy 500 has been delayed by four hours, Larson will officially miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600 – unless weather delays events in Charlotte, too – and Hendrick will need a substitute driver to start in the No. 5 Chevrolet for NASCAR's longest race.
That driver is veteran Justin Allgaier, one of the top racers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports. Allgaier, who has competed in 81 Cup Series races in his career, drove in Saturday's Xfinity Series race at Charlotte and has already sat in Larson's car at the Hendrick shop.
Justin Allgaier said he already had sat in the car at the shop but they wanted to check a few things here. He obviously will start at the rear assuming the 600 starts on time and Larson isn't here. He also joked about the one winner perk he'd want if he starts and Larson wins. pic.twitter.com/woohJIYOAx
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 26, 2024
NASCAR rules say drivers must start every race “unless authorized by NASCAR," so Larson would need – and almost certainly will get – a waiver for the NASCAR playoffs this fall.
Kyle Larson announced during Indy 500 driver introductions
NASCAR star Kyle Larson has waited out the weather delay in Indianapolis as he attempts to race motor sports' epic "double" – driving in the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day.
And now, Larson has officially been introduced – along with the rest of the 33-driver field – for the 108th running of the Indy 500.
Crowd reaction for Kyle Larson in driver intros. #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/CrAqVTkzP2
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 26, 2024
Larson will start fifth – in the middle of the second row – alongside Alexander Rossi (4th) and Santino Ferrucci (6th). Team Penske drivers swept the front row during last weekend's qualifying with Scott McLaughlin winning the pole, Will Power starting second and defending Indy 500 Josef Newgarden starting third.
Drivers return to track for 2024 Indy 500 after rain delay
The 108th running of the Indy 500 is getting closer to going green. The drivers and crews have returned to the grid at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the rain has stopped and trucks are drying the track.
And now there are new approximate times for pre-race festivities and the drop of the green flag for the 2024 Indy 500.
Driver introductions are set to get underway around 3:48 p.m. ET, and pre-race ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 4:16 p.m. ET. If all goes according to plan, the green flag should drop at 4:44 p.m. ET.
The updated tentative schedule for the #Indy500. pic.twitter.com/gvFlbN2VPg
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 26, 2024
Rain moves out, drying trucks on track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The 2024 Indy 500 is set to get underway late Sunday afternoon, after rain delayed the 12:45 p.m ET green flag start time by several hours.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is sending trucks and track dryers onto the 2.5-mile oval, and IMS President Doug Boles said he hopes drying would take about two hours.
A sight we love to see 🙌
Track drying is officially underway at @IMS. Stay with NBC and Peacock for #Indy500 updates. pic.twitter.com/9cqIgr0x5K— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 26, 2024
IMS official are now pegging a 4:45 p.m. ET start time for the race.
The Indy 500 typically takes about 3 hours, and IMS does not have lights. Sunset is at 9:03 p.m. ET. — Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star
Indy 500 will run on NBC on Sunday despite weather delay
If any or all of the Indianapolis 500 runs Sunday afternoon and evening, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" will continue to air on NBC as planned, according to a network spokesperson.
Though NBC's online schedule portal listed other events set to air Sunday afternoon, including the Senior PGA Championship that is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, the spokesperson said airing the 500 in whatever capacity if possible will be the priority for NBC on Sunday.
Despite the unlikelihood of any cars actually racing before 4 p.m. ET because of inclement weather in Indianapolis, the spokesperson said IndyCar content will continue to air through the end of the scheduled 11 a.m. - 4p.m. ET broadcast window. What happens immediately after that is unclear, but if Indy 500 racing does take place, that action will air on NBC. — Nathan Brown, Indianapolis Star
Fans allowed back into grandstands at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Shortly after 2 p.m. ET, Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that spectators could return to the grandstands since lightning has cleared the area around the track.
Fans had been asked to seek shelter at 11:15 a.m. ET because of weather, with IMS officially delaying the scheduled 12:45 green flag start time. Officials at Indianapolis Motor Speedway said earlier that people were welcome to stay in the venue – just not in the grandstands – or they could return to their cars or seek shelter elsewhere and return to the speedway if the weather improved later in the day.
Indy 500 officially in a weather delay
With a line of thunderstorms bearing down on Indianapolis Motor Speedway, officials have delayed the start of this year's race. All prerace activities have also been paused as fans have been asked seek shelter away from the grandstands.
Given the proximity of lightning moving toward the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a decision has been made to pause the pre-race ceremonies and move fans out of the grandstands and Snake Pit.
Spectators are encouraged to follow the instructions of IMS team members. They should… pic.twitter.com/Yk9W2AVOpr— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 26, 2024
The green flag was set to wave at 12:45 p.m., but that will not be the case now.
IMS president Doug Boles said that weather experts the track has been consulting with believe this round of storms – an initial wave of high winds and lightning, followed by a couple hours of rain – should pass in the 2:30-3 p.m. window, after which the track will be able to start the drying process. Equipped with a fleet of NASCAR's 'air titans', IMS was able to dry the track once during practice week as quickly as 77 minutes.
Should the weather cease around 3 p.m., Boles said he hoped the race would be able to start in the 4:30-5 p.m. window. — Nathan Brown, Indianapolis Star
NBC shows Indy 500 replay while in weather delay for 2024 race
With inclement weather delaying the start of the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 – the green flag was slated to drop for the 2024 race at 12:45 p.m. ET – NBC is re-airing the 2023 Indy 500 as the network and race fans wait out the delay.
Jeff Gordon on how Indy 500 delay affects Kyle Larson's 'Double' attempt
With the start time of the 2024 Indy 500 now officially delayed, Kyle Larson and Hendrick Motorsports – his NASCAR team – have a really tough decision to make. Wait out the rain in Indianapolis and miss the start of NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600, slated to start at 6 p.m. ET Sunday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway? Or prioritize NASCAR – his primary racing series – and abort the attempt at the motor sports "double"?
Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon told NBC that the team has every intention of getting Larson to Charlotte.
"We are gonna do everything we can to just keep an eye on the weather, play the logistics game like we have been, and even if we run here today we'll figure out when we can get him to Charlotte," Gordon, a NASCAR Hall of Famer and four-time series champion, said.
Justin Allgaier, who drives for JR Motorsports (Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s team) in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, is slated to be the standby driver for Larson in Charlotte. Allgaier raced Saturday in Charlotte in the Xfinity race, but has competed in 81 Cup Series races in his career.
Busy day for Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champ Jimmie Johnson is taking advantage of what is one of the biggest weekends in motorsports.
He is on site at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, contributing pre-race and race coverage on NBC for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. When he’s done there, he will head to Concord, North Carolina, to race in NASCAR’s Coca Cola 600 for Legacy Motor Club, the team which he co-owns.
Live from Indy #indy500 pic.twitter.com/ICGLrVcNzA
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) May 26, 2024
Johnson, 48, has appeared on NBC’s coverage of the Indy 500 before, serving in the same capacity in 2021. He also raced in the 2022 Indy 500 when he was competing in the NTT IndyCar Series and finished 28th.
Johnson, who was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in January, has competed in four Cup Series races this season, including the Daytona 500, as a part-time driver.
"I was part of the NBC broadcast team in 2021 and it just fueled the fire I needed to make my childhood dream of racing in the Indianapolis 500 one day a reality," Johnson said in a news release. "Competing in this race as a driver was a chance of a lifetime, so to be able to experience the pageantry again is just so special." — Lorenzo Reyes
Indy 500 TV schedule 2024
NBC will air the race, with its pre-race show coverage beginning at 11 a.m. ET. The pre-race show and race can also be streamed on Peacock.
Kyle Larson says Indy 500 is 'the priority' in historic double
There's so much up in the air, literally, as former NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Larson attempts to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, N.C., this evening.
The potential for a weather delay is the biggest obstacle Larson and Team Hendrick face.
"Our plan is, this (race) is the priority," Larson said on ABC's prerace show. "There's just been so much time and investment to make this Indy 500 happen. It's been a buildup for over a year so we need to run it. And I want to. I feel I have a really good shot to have a good run and potentially win."
If the Indy 500 proceeds on schedule, Larson is set to leave the Brickyard by 4:15 p.m., get to the Indianapolis airport and fly out at 4:30 p.m., land in Concord, North Carolina at 5:25 and helicopter to Charlotte Motor Speedway at 5:33. Green flag for the Coke 600 is scheduled for 6:22.
"Worst case scenario is happening, which is just a bummer more than anything. We'll get to go on track at least in something today, so that's exciting," Larson said.
"I don't care if it's on the same day, I just want to be able to race both races the full distance."
— Steve Gardner
Latest Indy 500 weather forecast
In a morning event operations briefing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center, track president Doug Boles told reporters race officials are tracking a potentially severe storm that may include lightning and is likely to impact the start of Sunday's Indianapolis 500.
Boles anticipates rain arriving at IMS between noon-12:30 p.m.
He says the biggest concern is lightning, and would ask fans to leave grandstands by 11:15 a.m. if it appears lightning is approaching the Speedway, and all on-track festivities would stop.
"It's really a challenging day for us," he said. "No matter what the decision is, it will be a difficult one." — Nathan Brown, Indianapolis Star
Indy 500 starting grid
Here is the grid for Sunday’s race. Start position (car number in parentheses), car make and team (R-rookie; W-Indy 500 winner):
ROW 1
1. (3) Scott McLaughlin, Chevrolet, Team Penske
2. (12) Will Power (W), Chevrolet, Team Penske
3. (2) Josef Newgarden (W), Chevrolet, Team Penske
ROW 2
4. (7) Alexander Rossi (W), Chevrolet, Arrow McLaren
5. (17) Kyle Larson (R), Chevrolet, Arrow McLaren
6. (14) Santino Ferrucci, Chevrolet, AJ Foyt Racing
ROW 3
7. (21) Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, Ed Carpenter Racing
8. (5) Pato O'Ward, Chevrolet, Arrow McLaren
9. (60) Felix Rosenqvist, Honda, Meyer Shank Racing
ROW 4
10. (75) Takuma Sato (W), Honda, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
11. (27) Kyle Kirkwood, Honda, Andretti Global
12. (23) Ryan Hunter-Reay (W), Chevrolet, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports
ROW 5
13. (26) Colton Herta, Honda, Andretti Global
14. (10) Alex Palou, Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing
15. (6) Callum Ilott, Chevrolet, Arrow McLaren
ROW 6
16. (11) Marcus Armstrong (R), Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing
17. (20) Ed Carpenter, Chevrolet, Ed Carpenter Racing
18. (4) Kyffin Simpson (R), Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing
ROW 7
19. (98) Marco Andretti, Honda, Andretti Global
20. (06) Helio Castroneves (W), Honda, Meyer Shank Racing
21. (9) Scott Dixon (W), Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing
ROW 8
22. (78) Agustin Canapino, Chevrolet, Juncos Hollinger Racing
23. (41) Sting Ray Robb, Chevrolet, AJ Foyt Racing
24. (33) Christian Rasmussen (R), Chevrolet, Ed Carpenter Racing
ROW 9
25. (66) Tom Blomqvist (R), Honda, Meyer Shank Racing
26. (77) Romain Grosjean, Chevrolet, Juncos Hollinger Racing
27. (8) Linus Lundqvist (R), Honda, Chip Ganassi Racing
ROW 10
28. (45) Christian Lundgaard, Honda, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
29. (24) Conor Daly, Chevrolet, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports
30. (30) Pietro Fittipaldi, Honda, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
ROW 11
31. (51) Katherine Legge, Honda, Dale Coyne Racing
32. (28) Marcus Ericsson (W), Honda, Andretti Global
33. (15) Graham Rahal, Honda, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Weather forecast for Indy 500 race
Showers and thunderstorms are expected Sunday and some could produce heavy rainfall with a 90% chance of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service. The first wave of storms is expected to arrive before 3 p.m. East southeast winds become south by afternoon between 6 to 15 mph. Wind gusts could reach a high of 23 mph.
Temperatures should max out around 76 degrees. Rain accumulation is expected to be near 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely to return in the evening, mainly before 1 a.m., and could be severe. With a 70% chance of precipitation, damaging winds are the likely concern with some locations possibly seeing hail or tornados.
There will be a south wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph possible. The low temperature will be near 64. Another 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of rain is expected. — Chris Sims, Nathan Brown and Karl Schneider, Indianapolis Star
Kyle Larson Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600
Among the contenders: Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who is aiming to become the fifth driver to contest arguably the hardest thing in motor sports: racing in the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, weather permitting. As soon as Larson’s day in Indianapolis is done, he will fly to Charlotte, North Carolina to race Sunday night in NASCAR’s longest race. — Ellen J. Horrow
Who is the honorary starter for the 2024 Indy 500?
Actors Austin Butler and Jodie Comer, who star in the upcoming film "The Bikeriders," will serve as honorary starters for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 and will wave the green flag at Sunday's race. – Ellen J. Horrow
Who is singing the national anthem at the 2024 Indy 500?
Singer-songwriter and actress Jordin Sparks will perform the national anthem prior to Sunday's race. Sparks, who gained fame as the winner of season six of "American Idol" in 2007, also performed the national anthem before the 2015 Indianapolis 500. Additionally, musician Phillip Phillips, who won the 11th season of "American Idol" in 2012, will perform “God Bless America” during pre-race ceremonies. – Ellen J. Horrow
Indy 500 drinking milk tradition
The tradition started in 1936 when Louis Meyer drank buttermilk in Victory Lane. According to a 2022 IndyStar story, 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 or skim — just in case they get the opportunity to celebrate with it. — Evan Frank, Indianapolis Star
Who has the pole position for Indy 500?
Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin won the pole for the 108th running and will start on the front row alongside teammates Will Power and Josef Newgarden.
Printable 2024 Indy 500 starting grid
We have one right here for you!
How many laps is the Indy 500?
The Indy 500 consists of 200 laps around the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway, totaling 500 miles.
What is the race distance of the Indianapolis 500?
After 200 laps around a 2.5-mile track, the drivers will have totaled 500 miles each.
When is the Indy 500 in 2024?
The 108th Indianapolis 500 is Sunday, May 26. The green flag was scheduled to wave at 12:45 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Josef Newgarden wins 2024 Indy 500: Full results, recap, highlights