Newgarden goes back to back in last lap Indy 500 thriller

Josef Newgarden made a last-lap pass to go back to back at the Indianapolis 500, while Scott McLaughlin crossed the line sixth.

Despite having key personnel suspended, Newgarden was clutch on the final lap to outsmart Pato O’Ward in a finish for the ages.

In the end, it all came down to the final lap where the lead changed hands twice.

Newgarden took the white flag, only for O’Ward to speed past heading into the first corner.

But the Penske driver had the momentum down the back straight and flew around the outside of Turn 3 to steal the win and become the first driver in 22 years to go back to back.

It was a thrilling run to the flag as the likes Scott Dixon, Alexander Rossi and Newgarden diced for the lead inside the final 30 laps before they were joined by O’Ward who had great late-race speed.

McLaughlin was hurt by clutch issues throughout the race. He led much of the first half of the race, but could not quite keep up with the contenders as the finish drew nearer.

It was a tough race for Australia’s Will Power, who started second but dropped out of the top 10 before crashing at Turn 1.

Due to threatening thunderstorms, four hours later than scheduled, the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 finally got underway with McLaughlin leading the way in the “Yellow Submarine.”

Power pulled to the outside but could not stop McLaughlin leading through the first corner where the opening yellow would immediately arrive.

Tom Blomqvist got out of shape and spun into a helpless Marcus Ericsson and the pair made a big impact with the outside wall.

Below them Calum Ilott was also unsettled, making contact with Pietro Fittipaldi.

As a result of the first corner madness, all four were out on the spot, while Marcus Armstrong was another victim, but due to Honda engine dramas.

Racing finally resumed on Lap 10 which was the first green flag lap and McLaughlin resumed control as Larson got slightly caught out.

The Hendrick Motorsports rookie went backwards, missing a gear and slipping outside the top 10, while Herta shot forward into it.

Up front McLaughlin showed impressive composure to lead the first 23 laps with Power right behind until the yellows returned for unlucky Brit female racer Catherine Legge with another blown Honda.

Most of the field dived into pit road and McLaughlin led the train, but Robb, Daly, Lundgarrd and Rahul all stayed out to gain track position.

Ferrucci was fast on the restart, jumping both Power and Newgarden, but racing again stopped.

This time rookie Lundqvist lost it from the inside and fired into the wall side on before spinning out.

McLaughlin made the most of the third restart to fly around the outside of Daly and Robb to return to the lead.

The Kiwi only stayed at the front for a handful of laps before Daly retaliated. He would stay in front before pitting on Lap 43.

Meanwhile, Power was struggling, falling outside the top 10 with the Aussie saying “we are slow” over the radio after O’Ward cruised past down the back straight as Herta completed his charge to the top five by Lap 40.

The race went beyond quarter distance before another stoppage for Rosenqvist, who was the latest to suffer engine dramas.

On pit road McLaughlin dropped to fourth on track, behind green flag stoppers Daly and Robb, plus Rossi who made good ground in the lane.

However, this was no concern for McLaughlin, who produced a stunning move on the Lap 65 restart.

The “Yellow Submarine” dived low and snuck down the inside of all three cars ahead.

Robb hit back a lap later as Herta snatched third before the former pitted, putting the Kiwi back in control.

Herta’s promising campaign hit a big hurdle when he had a big spin as Veekay and Lundgaard led at halfway on different strategies.

Once they pitted, Newgarden led the way as McLaughlin made it a Penske 1-2 by passing Ferrucci.

All this happened just before another caution when Ryan Hunter Ray had his nose chopped off by Dixon halfway up the main straight.

It sent Hunter Ray into a wild 360 spin, but he impressively saved it to avoid the barriers.

At the restart McLaughlin, Newgarden and Rossi were battling for the top spot when Marco Andretti slid into the outside wall and neutralised the race once again.

At this point Larson was sixth, but was hit with a drive through penalty for speeding down pit road on Lap 132.

Power was running down in 20th when his race came to a sudden end. The Australian spun at Turn 1 and hit the outside wall head on.

This occurred at the same moment Dixon hit the lead for the first time with a smart fuel strategy.

It was three wide at the restart for the lead and Rossi emerged in front of O’Ward and Dixon, while Newgarden made a big move around the outside to snare fourth.

It proved critical as after the final chain of pit stops, nothing separated the leaders with Dixon and Newgarden taking turns in the lead, while McLaughlin sat behind O’Ward, Kirkwood, Palou and Veekay.

The thrilling fight for the effective lead finally settled down with 19 to go when Newgarden shoot clear as Rossi jumped Dixon.

Whilst all eyes were on this battle, Larson enjoyed some time in P1 until he pitted with 16 to go, just before Rossi and Newgarden started dicing.

At the start of lap 193 Newgarden and O’Ward flew past Rossi on the inside, which spread out the top three.

The Penske driver then could not stop O’Ward from pulling off the same move on the following lap to hit the lead to the cheers of the crowd, only for the #2 to retake it again.

Whilst they were fighting, McLaughlin was also on the move and snatched sixth from Kirkwood.

With 2 to go Newgarden led and O’Ward and the McLaren driver got a good run on the back straight but backed out.

It proved to be a genius move as he used the tow to fly past Newgarden as they took the white flag.

However, the Penske driver had the last laugh, soaring around the outside at the penultimate corner to go back to back in stunning style.

After pulling off a similar move last year, Newgarden again marched into the grandstands to celebrate with the crowd.

The 108th Indianapolis 500 was certainly worth the wait.

Photo by Phillip Abbott / LAT Images

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