INDIANAPOLIS — In a one lap shootout, Josef Newgarden emerged victorious in the 2023 Indianapolis 500.
The Tennessee native went to Marcus Ericsson’s outside on the final lap of the race as the pair went down the back straight. The No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet kept a firm grip on the lead and beat the defending Indianapolis 500 champion by 0.0974 seconds.
The race had several red flags in the final quarter of the race for accidents. The chain of events started with an accident involving Felix Rosenqvist and Kyle Kirkwood that resulted in a tire flying over the Turn 2 catch fence.
That was a scary one! Thankfully, #FelixRosenqvist and #KyleKirkwood are able to walk away from that one! ?
So relieved that tire didn't go into the stands! ?#IndyCar #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/lijIOq3zMq
— Last Lap Insider. (@LastLapInsider) May 28, 2023
The upcoming restart resulted in another collision between Ericsson and Pato O’Ward when O’Ward went low on the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and lost control of his car in Turn 3 on Lap 192. The resulting checkup effect caused Scott McLaughlin to hit Simon Pagenaud, spinning the 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner around before wall contact.
The ensuing melee also collected Agustin Canapino, who spun and hit the wall. The No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet had no steering or brakes when Canapino had additional contact with O’Ward’s stopped car. Race control red flagged the race a second time.
On the late-race restart, this incident with @PatricioOWard and @AgustinCanapino brought out another red flag.#INDYCAR // @IMS pic.twitter.com/SL3Si9dpQJ
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 28, 2023
On the next restart, a three-wide squeeze between Christian Lundgaard, Ed Carpenter and Benjamin Pedersen resulted in Pedersen and Carpenter’s cars being damaged to the point they could not continue. Because of Pedersen’s car rapidly losing speed, Graham Rahal also received significant damage in the crash.
BACK TO RED! Carpenter and Pedersen don't hit the line. #Indy500 #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/17IKfJ6DQX
— Spare Parts Racing (@SparePartsRacin) May 28, 2023
IndyCar race control called for a third red flag period. The difference now was that because of how few laps remained in the race, IndyCar did not mandate a warmup lap and waved the green and white flags together for the final lap of the race.
Ericsson weaved on the straight like he did in 2022, but Newgarden used the draft to move to Ericsson’s outside and the two-time IndyCar Series champion picked up his first triumph at Indianapolis. Santino Ferrucci finished third ahead of polesitter Alex Palou in fourth and Alexander Rossi in fifth.
There were two other yellow flags for single car incidents involving Romain Grosjean and Sting Ray Robb. Both drivers were seen and released from the infield care center.
This article will be updated.
Race results:
