Josef Newgarden puts scandal in past, passes Pato OWard to win Indy 500

Josef Newgarden repeated as champion at the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, emerging victorious in a thrilling duel with Pato O’Ward in the closing moments of the 108th edition of the race.

Newgarden became the first driver since Helio Castroneves in 2001 and 2002 to win back-to-back Indy 500s. He overcame a surge by O’Ward in the closing seconds and avenged a cheating scandal that rocked IndyCar earlier this season.

“I’m just so proud of the team; they crushed it,” Newgarden said. “They came here with the fastest cars. We worked our tails off. ... I’m just so proud of everybody for Team Penske — that’s the way I wanted to win the thing right there.”

The race was delayed for several hours because of severe weather. O’Ward, racing for Arrow McLaren, had a slight lead on the final lap and surged toward the finish line. But Newgarden, who won last year’s Indy 500 after slingshotting past 2022 champion Marcus Ericsson on the final lap, again pulled off an improbable comeback by speeding around O’Ward and crossing the finish line first.

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“It is always a heartbreak when you’re so close, especially when it’s not the first time and you don’t know how many opportunities you have,” O’Ward said.

After clinching the win, Newgarden exited his car and sprinted toward the stands, where he climbed through a hole in the fence and celebrated with fans. Moments later, a wreath draped over his shoulder, Newgarden kissed the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and again chugged a glass container of milk after his second consecutive win.

“I love this crowd. I’ve got to always go in the crowd if we win here — I am always doing that,” he said.

In April, Newgarden’s season-opening win at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was stripped after it was revealed that Team Penske had manipulated the push-to-pass system in its cars.

“They can say what they want — I don’t even care anymore,” Newgarden said after Sunday’s win.

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