Josef Newgarden and family celebrated the win at the 108th running of the Indy 500 this weekend. As a nice bonus Newgarden also won the Indianapolis 500’s largest purse record was shattered for the third year in a row after winning $4.288 million from a total purse of $18,456,000. This year’s average payout for NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers was $543,000, which also exceeds last year’s average of $500,600.
The race was delayed due to weather which has been a variable for the drivers off and on since the Sonsio grand prix a few weeks ago at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Newgarden who has faced backlash all year regarding his technical regulation violations and questionable push to pass tactics responded to the critics after the win. “They can say whatever they want after this point; I don’t care anymore,” Newgarden said of critics after the violations were discovered. “I’m just so proud of this team. They crushed it. Crushed it. Luke, Tim – they’re not here today, but they’re a huge part of this. I’m just so proud for everybody at Team Penske. That’s the way I wanted to win the thing, right there.”
Full Race Results
There were seven caution periods in the first 117 laps, as the race struggled to find a rhythm. But as the intensity ratcheted in the second half of the 200-lap race, the racing was breathtaking – and clean. There were 32 lead changes alone in the last 70 laps.