The 2025 Indy 500 kicked off with a bit of a hiccup, with the grid of 33 IndyCar racers being held for almost an hour past the scheduled start time of 12:45 pm ET due to rain showers over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Finally, once the race control gave the green light, the chaos ensued even before the green flag was waved. Ultimately, it was Alex Palou who showcased his skills and clinched the coveted milk at the end of the race.
Weather conditions caused a delayed start, and additional reconnaissance laps were allowed behind the pace car. Unfortunately, Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin lost control of his No. 3 Chevy while trying to warm up his tires, resulting in an early mishap. As the green flag dropped, Marco Andretti found himself in trouble going into Turn 1, attributing it to the cars around him pushing him high and into the wall.
Rookie Robert Shwartzman, who started from pole position, quickly fell back as Pato O’Ward and Takuma Sato fought for the lead. The race saw a yellow flag on lap 18 due to light rain, forcing a temporary pace reduction. Scott Dixon faced rear brake issues on lap 30, adding to the drama. The eventful race continued with moments of action, allowing drivers to experiment with the new hybrid system’s deployment at race pace.
Mid-race saw some unfortunate incidents, including Alexander Rossi’s pit stop turning into a fiery situation. Several crashes occurred following the pit stops, leading to more yellow flags. Josef Newgarden’s race ended prematurely due to unknown troubles. Towards the final laps, Alex Palou emerged as a strong contender for the win, battling with O’Ward and Ferrucci for the top spot.
As the race approached its conclusion, Palou maintained his lead, with Marcus Ericsson and David Malukas close behind. Palou’s impressive performance secured his first oval victory, marking a significant milestone in his career. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the 2025 Indy 500 provided a thrilling spectacle for fans and drivers alike.
