The 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 delivered an all-time finish on Sunday afternoon. A one-lap shootout culminated with two drivers drag racing back to the checkered flag.
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In the end, Felix Rosenqvist defeated David Malukas by .0233 seconds, the closest finish in the history of the prestigious race. He scored his second NTT IndyCar Series win and the biggest of his career.
FELIX ROSENQVIST WINS THE CLOSEST FINISH IN INDY 500 HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/BBGobsgX3I
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 24, 2026
The finish unfolded in stunning fashion. A red flag for Caio Collett's car bursting into flames meant that the drivers would have a late restart. They took the green flag with four laps remaining, but they did not remain racing for long.
Mick Schumacher hit the wall and kept going, but officials threw the caution. This late caution re-stacked the field and set up one final restart. The drivers would take the green flag with one lap remaining in the 500-mile race, and they would battle over 2.5 miles.
Marcus Armstrong led the field into the restart zone, and he went early while trying to maintain his advantage over the field. However, Malukas jumped past him to take the lead.
The young Team Penske driver then began weaving back and forth while trying to break the draft and win his first career race. It appeared that he would achieve this as drivers behind him raced two-wide entering Turns 3 and 4.
The battle did not end there. Rosenqvist got a huge run onto the frontstretch, and he used it to pull next to Malukas. The two drivers then raced side-by-side to the checkered flag. Rosenqvist narrowly nipped Malukas at the line.
"I don't even know what to say," Rosenqvist said after winning his first Indianapolis 500. "What a car. Massive thanks to the team. We had two cars in the wind at the end, that's a luxurious situation to be in as a team.
"I think we were the best car. I felt like in all situations, we had it under control. That last yellow didn't help us, but it kinda worked out the right way when I got back to third.
"Last lap, I had a flat out lap on the high line and it stuck. Coolest way you can win an Indy 500 right there. Unreal. I still don't believe it."
This last second move also made history. This served as the 70th lead change in the race, marking the most-ever for an Indianapolis 500. Unfortunately for Malukas, it also took away his chance at a truly special win.
Devastation for David Malukas. #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/ne9rrPhfgR
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 24, 2026
"I don't know what else we could have done," Malukas told Fox Sports while fighting back tears. "We were the fastest car that whole race. I gave it a 150 percent. I almost crashed the damn car every lap, and we still end up with a P2. I can't believe it. I don't know what else I can give.
"We've had such a stellar season this whole month, they've given me everything I needed. I can't believe it. Just so close. This place, man, We're going to come back again. We're going to give it everything. 160 percent next time. Incredible race. Thank you Roger Penske for believing in me when no one else did."
