Josef Newgarden Wins 2021 Indianapolis 500 in Thrilling Finish for Team Penske

American driver Josef Newgarden has won the 2021 Indianapolis 500, ending a streak of 11 unsuccessful attempts. This year’s race was full of excitement, with a massive crash involving Felix Rosenqvist and Kyle Kirkwood in the 184th lap, sending a tire over the fencing, narrowly missing a grandstand.

Newgarden was originally in fourth place when the race was red-flagged for the third time in the final 16 laps. After a review of the running order at the time the yellow flag waved, race control moved Newgarden to second.

The two-time IndyCar champion took advantage of his improved position by slingshotting around reigning race winner Marcus Ericsson on the restart and holding him off through the last two turns. Spaniard Alex Palou had one of the best cars in the race, but was crashed into by Rinus VeeKay when the cars were trying to exit pit road.

Newgarden brought his Chevrolet-powered car to a stop on the front stretch, jumped out and found a hole in the fence, diving into part of a crowd estimated at more than 300,000 to celebrate. In a fight until the finish, Newgarden caught up with Ericsson in the final lap, taking the lead and finishing in first.

This was Newgarden’s first win in the Indianapolis 500, and the first win for Team Penske since 2017. It was a fitting end to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” and a momentous occasion for Newgarden and his team.