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 and drives the No. 60 Honda for Meyer Shank Racing, lost the lead after a late restart but passed Team Penske’s David Malukas on the final stretch to win his first Indy 500 by 0.0233 seconds—the closest finish in race history.
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.
As of Sunday evening, the prize purse had not been announced. The total prize purse is expected to reach as high as $21 million, according to The Sporting News.
Last Five Winners
- 2025: Alex Palou, $3.8 million
- 2024: Josef Newgarden, $4.3 million
- 2023: Josef Newgarden, $3.7 million
- 2022: Marcus Ericsson, $3.1 million
- 2021: Helio Castroneves, $1.8 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.
IndyCar reached a multiyear media-rights deal with Fox in 2024 after NBC aired the Indianapolis 500 from 2019 through 2024. Before NBC, the race aired on ABC from 1965 to 2018.
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.
