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110th Indianapolis 500: Rain Delays and Record Lead Changes Mark Dramatic Race

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The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was marked by multiple incidents, a weather-induced red flag, and a record number of lead changes in the first half of the race.

Pre-Race Ceremonies and Start

The race was scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m. ET, with rain in the forecast. Pre-race ceremonies included:

  • Grand Marshal: Caitlin Clark, WNBA star, directed drivers to their cars.
  • National Anthem: Jordin Sparks performed the national anthem.
  • "Back Home Again in Indiana": Jim Cornelison performed the traditional song.
  • Start Command: Roger Penske gave the command to start engines.

Starting Grid and Key Drivers

Pole sitter: Alex Palou, four-time IndyCar Series champion and 2023 Indy 500 winner, started from the pole position. He has won the past three series titles.

  • Defending champion: Josef Newgarden, two-time Indy 500 winner (2023-24), was fastest in practice during the week.
  • Pato O'Ward raced a backup car after a crash during a Monday practice session.
  • Alexander Rossi, the 2016 winner, started second in a backup car.
  • Katherine Legge entered the race aiming to become the first woman to compete in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

Race Incidents

The race was punctuated by a series of dramatic crashes and mechanical failures.

  • Lap 14: Ryan Hunter-Reay spun, collecting Katherine Legge. Legge’s race ended.
  • Ed Carpenter: Carpenter hit the wall. He expressed dissatisfaction with Takuma Sato regarding the incident.
  • Lap 104 (Restart): Josef Newgarden lost control and hit the wall, ending his race.
  • Alexander Rossi: Rossi's engine failed on pit road, forcing him out of the race.

Weather and Race Status

Lightning and rain caused a red flag on lap 105. Scott Dixon was leading at the time, followed by Alex Palou.

Records and Notable Events

  • Lead Changes: By lap 100 (the halfway point), 45 lead changes had occurred, the most in the first half of an Indy 500.
  • Scott Dixon: Starting 10th, Dixon moved into the lead by lap 85.
  • Early Lead Swaps: Alex Rossi and Alex Palou traded the lead early in the race.
  • Conor Daly: Daly drove with a damaged left-side mirror.
  • Kyle Busch Tribute: A tribute to two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch was featured on Romain Grosjean's No. 18 Dallara-Honda, styled after Busch's Joe Gibbs Racing number.