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Rosenqvist Wins Indy 500 by 0.0233 Seconds, Sets Lead-Change Record

5/25/2026

31 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Felix Rosenqvist (Meyer Shank Racing) won the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, 2026 by 0.0233 seconds over David Malukas after a one-lap shootout triggered by a late red-flag crash.
Rosenqvist saved fuel during cautions, passed teammate Marcus Armstrong, and drafted past Malukas on the front stretch to claim his second IndyCar win and Meyer Shank Racing’s second Indy 500 victory.
The race had 70 lead changes among 14 drivers, breaking the 2013 record.

History

Historical Context

Dan Wheldon’s 2005 Indianapolis 500 win, the first for a driver to capture both the race and the IRL championship, revived interest after Danica Patrick led a lap and TV ratings rose 40%. The split-and-reunify era that followed boosted competition, raising lead changes from the traditional 33-car grid to 70 by Rosenqvist’s 2026 victory with Meyer Shank Racing and Shell.

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Story summary

Felix Rosenqvist (Meyer Shank Racing) won the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, 2026 by 0.0233 seconds over David Malukas after a one-lap shootout triggered by a late red-flag crash.
Rosenqvist saved fuel during cautions, passed teammate Marcus Armstrong, and drafted past Malukas on the front stretch to claim his second IndyCar win and Meyer Shank Racing’s second Indy 500 victory.
The race had 70 lead changes among 14 drivers, breaking the 2013 record.

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