Spain’s Alex Palou withstood a fightback by Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson to say victory in a chaotic Indianapolis 500.
Palou overtook Ericsson with 14 laps remaining earlier than holding off the Swede’s late restoration to grow to be the primary Spaniard to win the 109th version of the showpiece race.
The beginning was delayed due to mild rain and included a number of yellow flags with the lead altering arms 22 occasions amongst 14 drivers.
Marco Andretti, grandson of F1 nice Mario Andretti, lasted simply 4 laps after being hit by Ryan Hunter-Reay, whereas Scott McLaughlin additionally crashed out after shedding management early on and Kyle Larson’s try to finish the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the identical day was curtailed by a crash.
Palou, of Chip Ganassi Racing, averaged 168.9 mph over the enduring 200 laps of a 2.5-mile oval monitor on the Indianapolis Brickyard, whereas 2022 winner Ericsson completed 0.682 seconds behind, with American David Malukas in third.
Mexico’s Pato O’Ward completed fourth and Sweden’s Felix Rosenqvist fifth.
Two-time champion Takuma Sato led for 51 laps earlier than falling out of competition after skidding into his pit, whereas pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman’s problem ended on lap 89 when he collided with members of his pit workforce – although no-one was badly harm.
Larson, in the meantime, was in a position to safely exit his automotive after the crash on lap 91 earlier than being cleared to fly to Charlotte to compete within the Nascar occasion.
