Chris MulvihillA sellout crowd of +350,000 watched the 109th running of the 2025 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25th. It was a week full of car ‘set-up’ controversies, crashes, weenier mobile races, and pit stop errors. Practice opened on Tuesday, May 13th, with 34 drivers maneuvering a cool, on-and-off-again rainy day. Although the rain subsided the rest of the week, increased winds on Wednesday and Thursday provided difficult driving conditions, resulting in 2 crashes: car #3 Scott McLaughlin in Turn 2 and car #66 Marcus Armstrong in Turn 1. Neither driver was hurt, and their respective crews rebuilt the cars as both drivers qualified on Saturday, the 17th.
Scott McLaughlin practices on Carburation Day. Although he overcame a practice day crash to qualify for a 10th position start, he crashed on race day, warming up his tires during the pace lap.
May 16th was ‘Fast Friday’ and provided teams a final opportunity to run their cars on the track to make final adjustments for Saturday’s qualifying. Given the crashes during practices earlier in the week, it was a relief to watch as no crashes occurred. Qualifying Saturday had 34 drivers competing for 33 spots with the pole (starting) position won by rookie driver Robert Shwartzman with a four-lap average speed of 232.790 and the 33rd position held by Rinus VeeKay with an average speed of 226.913MPH. The last time a rookie won the pole position was 1983.
Late on Qualifying Saturday, Rinus VeeKay checks the video screen facing the pit lane before belting in for his run. He qualified last and on race day crashed on lap 81 while entering the pit lane.
Unfortunately, while qualifying #26 Colton Herta became airborne after exiting Turn 1, landing upside down and sliding down the track. After being given a medical clearance, he returned to qualifying later in the day with a backup car, qualifying to start in 20th position.
2025 Indianapolis 500: Wing Controversy
The checkered ‘U’ shaped indentation on the horizontal rear wing support panel is the area in question. The Penske Team filled in the ridge line, smoothing out the panel. The pictured panel is correct.
This year’s race provided three different specification violations affecting five cars. Although two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden qualified for the pole with an average speed of 233.004, it was discovered during technical inspection that the rear wing had been altered, rendering it out of regulation. In addition, his teammate Will Power qualified 4th with an average speed of 232.144, with his rear wing altered in the same way, and both drivers are Team Penske members. After much consternation by racing officials on how to discipline the team of the man who owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Josef Newgarden was moved to the 32nd starting position, and Will Power to 33rd. Newgarden had expressed hopes of becoming the first driver to win three consecutive Indy 500s. However, starting from the middle of the back row made accomplishing this goal unlikely, as the furthest back a winning driver has started was 28th in 1936 (Louis Meyer).
2025 Indianapolis 500: Wild Weiners
Carburation Day, Friday, May 23rd, holds the last practice opportunity before the race. The two-hour session provided a race day environment for all 33 drivers to practice drafting, passing, and pit stops. An added event this day was the first ever Oscar Meyer Weinermobile Race, or now known as the ‘Weenie 500.’
Slaw Dog” wins by slipping past “Chi Dog” at the finish line to relish winning the first Wienie 500.
Six Weiner Mobiles representing different geographic areas of the country assembled on the track for two ‘hot laps.’ The GM Vortec V8-powered street legal hot dogs gave it all they had (not exceeding 60 mph) for a cheering and laughing crowd. The race was a photo finish with ‘Slaw Dog’ (representing the Southeast) passing ‘Chi Dog’ (Midwest representative) for the win. Judging from the reaction of +75,000 Carburation Day spectators, it was a big success and I hope it becomes a tradition.
The starting row exits Turn 4 on the pace lap. From top to bottom, #5 Pato O’Ward finished 3rd, #75 Takuma Sato finished 9th, and Pole starter #83 Robert Shwartzman crashed into his pit crew on Lap 87, ending his day to finish in 26th place.
The 2025 Indianapolis 500 Race Day on Sunday was overcast and cool, with a late morning drizzle. This provided just enough moisture on the track to delay the start as the track dryers circled the 2.5-mile oval. After a short delay, the pace laps began with #3 Scott McLaughlin (starting 10th) sliding into the wall while warming his tires. This damaged his front suspension, and he was out of the race before it started. On the first lap of the race #98 Marco Andretti (started 29th) crashed. Later in the race #18 Rinus VeeKay (started 29th) crashed as he entered the pit lane. Pole starter #83 Robert Shwartzman, while driving into his pit box, crashed into 4 of his pit crew. On lap 91, #17 Kyle Larson (started 19th), #77 Sting-Ray Robb (started 17th), and #8 Kyffin Simpson (started 13th) all crashed. Only 22 of the 33 starters finished the race.
Palou accelerates out of turn 4 to lead the last 10 laps, winning the race.
Leading the final 10 laps of the race, winner Alex Palou #10 (started 6th) took the checkered flag. The 28-year-old driver for Chip Ganassi Racing piloted his Honda-powered car at an average speed of 168.883MPH. Palou was rewarded for his efforts, earning $3.8M for winning his first Indy 500.
Indy 500 winner Alex Palou takes the traditional winner’s podium drink of milk. All drivers are asked before the race what kind of milk they prefer, and Palou stayed with the tradition of whole milk.
After the 2025 Indianapolis 500 all cars are sequestered for technical inspection. On Monday, May 26th, Indy Racing Officials announced “technical inspection penalties” for car numbers 27, 28 (Andretti Racing), and 90 (PREMA Racing). Car 27 driven by Kyle Kirkwood <finished 6th> and car 28 driven by Marcus Ericsson (2022 Indy 500 winner) <finished 2nd> had modifications to the Energy Management System covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points using unapproved spacers and parts. Car 30, driven by Callum Lott <finished 12th> The front wing assembly failed to meet the minimum endplate height and location specifications. Because of these violations, each car was fined $100,000, and each team’s competition manager was placed on a one-race suspension.
2025 Indianapolis 500: Looking To The Future
The next few years are expected to be interesting for the IndyCar Series. The Honda and Chevrolet engine supplier contract is up for renewal in 2026, and the current Dallara chassis (from 2012) is slated to be refreshed in 2027. Given Mr. Penske’s attention (some may say obsession) to detail, I trust these specifications will be worked out to produce a more exciting and competitive series. Even with the cool weather and technical specification violations, the sold-out crowds’ enthusiasm for this historical race was ever apparent. Next year marks the 110th anniversary of the Indy 500, and I am positive it will be one to remember.
