The 2026 Indianapolis 500 went off without a hitch despite a threatening weather forecast, with Felix Rosenqvist winning the 110th running of the iconic race after a nail-biting finish that featured multiple lead changes in the last few laps.
Rosenqvist, who is Swedish, drives the No. 60 Honda for Meyer Shank Racing. He bested second-place racer David Malukas, who drives for Team Penske. Rosenqvist was leading for a while before being overtaken with just a few laps to go, but in the end, he zoomed past his competitors and took home his first Indy 500 victory.
The race featured 70 lead changes, the most ever in an Indy 500 (besting the previous record of 68, set in 2013). Last year’s winner, Josef Newgarden, crashed with about 75 laps to go. There were a ton of lead changes,
The size of the prize purse was not immediately available, although those details are expected to be announced later on Sunday.
Last year, winner Alex Paulo took home just over $20.28 million, the highest individual prize purse in the history of the race.
Last Five Winners
- 2025: Alex Palou, $20.28 million
- 2024: Josef Newgarden, $1.85 million
- 2023: Josef Newgarden, $17.02 million
- 2022: Marcus Ericsson, $16 million
- 2021: Helio Castroneves, $8.85 million
Sunday’s Indy 500 was Rosenqvist’s eighth. Previously, his best finish was fourth place—something he did twice, in 2022 and 2025.
The race was broadcast on Fox Sports for the second straight year (and second time ever). Last year’s race drew 7.05 million viewers, making it the most-watched Indy 500 since 2008, which drew 7.2 million viewers. The 2025 race was up 40% from the 5 million who watched the 2024 Indy 500 on NBC.
In 2024, IndyCar reached a multiyear deal with Fox that saw the race leave NBC for the first time in 16 years. Although specific terms of that deal have not been disclosed, reports have indicated it is worth $25 million annually, $5 million more than NBC’s contract.
History Not Made
Katherine Legge, who sought to make history by becoming the first woman to race both the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, crashed early due to a dustup with Ryan Hunter-Reay, who spun out in front of her, and was unable to finish the first race. Had she been successful in her efforts, she would have been the sixth person to ever complete both races.
“I’m fine, just gutted more than anything,” Legge said, according to ESPN.
Caitlin Clark, Grand Marshal
The WNBA star, who plays home games for the Fever just under 6 miles away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, served as grand marshal for this year’s race. Appropriately outfitted in a racetrack-themed jacket complete with a checkered back, Clark got the festivities going, telling drivers to get to their cars to start the race.
Football Guy Becomes Racecar Guy
Indiana University head football coach Curt Cignetti enjoyed his role as honorary pace car driver ahead of the race. He practiced the day before, drove the pace laps in a custom-painted Chevrolet Corvette.
“It was awesome,” Cignetti said.
Tribute to Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch, a decorated NASCAR driver who passed away at 41 years old on Thursday, received multiple tributes, including being named during a pre-race prayer and being honored during the 18th lap of the Indy 500.
Meanwhile, Romain Grosjean of Dale Coyne Racing had the front of his vehicle outfitted to match the car Busch used during his career. Grosjean finished in ninth place.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
