Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 was a mess from the start. It was a wet, rainy day, and fires, crashes, and mistakes turned the track and even the pits into a trail of tears for many racers.
Drivers, including Alexander Rossi, Marco Andretti, Scott McLaughlin, Rinus VeeKay, and more, found themselves on the sidelines watching instead of competing as the race sped on.
One of the more dramatic incidents occurred when Alex Rossi had to abandon his car after it burst into flames during a pit stop.
The No. 20 has a FIRE on pit lane.@AlexanderRossi is out of the car and sharing his frustration. pic.twitter.com/EvKL1rOjhN
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 25, 2025
Rossi wasn’t the only one to have trouble in the pits. Robert Shwartzman’s no. 83 flew into the pit hot and ran down half his pit crew. One crew member was reportedly sent to the hospital with a foot injury.
Robert Shwartzman joins @JamieLittleTV to discuss what happened when he hit the wall on his pit stop. pic.twitter.com/LTvZeiosJS
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 25, 2025
There was also a near-miss pile-up as a group of drivers tried to get back on the track during the yellow flag for weather conditions.
Near chaos on pit lane 🫣
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 25, 2025
Pit stops begin under a yellow flag for weather conditions. #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/pS9iU1Vc6T
A pit stop went wrong for Rinus Veekay, too, when he suddenly found that he had no brakes as he headed in during lap 87. The malfunction sent him slamming into the pit wall, which caused race-ending damage for the Dutch driver and his No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda.
VEEKAY SPINS ON PIT LANE 😬
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 25, 2025
The #Indy500 is currently under caution on Lap 87. pic.twitter.com/5vDzhFPfyJ
Incidents on the track were no less troublesome, either. Kyle Larson only made it to lap 91 before spinning out and ending his second attempt to run the 500.
His second attempt at the #Indy500 is over.@KyleLarsonRacin day ends after 91 laps. pic.twitter.com/II8TZ4HmFr
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 25, 2025
Larson sent two others to the sidelines, as well, when his spinout forced Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb into the wall.
A second look at the accident involving Kyle Larson, Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb.#Indy500 pic.twitter.com/V37FU0HJxA
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 25, 2025
No. 3 driver Scott McLaughlin also found a race-ending spinout that sent him into the wall.
The onboard from the No. 3 car of @smclaughlin93 😱 pic.twitter.com/Gc9zdnPPDs
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 25, 2025
The Andretti curse was also once again on full display as Marco Andretti’s day was finished after a spinout left him slamming into the wall to send him packing.
A wreck after the green flag to start the #Indy500!@MarcoAndretti's day is DONE in his 20th start. pic.twitter.com/B4LsQtHeZq
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 25, 2025
Ultimately, Alex Palou became the first Spanish driver in history to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” when he crossed the finish line in his No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
“Best milk I’ve ever tasted,” Palou said after taking a swig from the traditional winner’s bottle of milk. “It tastes so good. What an amazing feeling.”
We can confirm @AlexPalou likes the #Indy500 milk 🙌 pic.twitter.com/9H5OH8UOZo
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 25, 2025
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston, X at WTHuston, or Truth Social at @WarnerToddHuston.