The 2024 Indianapolis 500 was one for the ages. It had a rain delay, drama on track, unbelievable racing and a great finish. While the win went to Josef Newgarden, there were 32 other drivers who had their own story to tell. And while the focus is on those up front, and possibly some of the others who were there but then faded, it’s only fair that each get their moment.
Across the field, there were impressive drives from the back to the front, there were penalties overcome and some notable milestones such as finishing the Indy 500 for the first time.
Every driver has a story. Take a look at the full-field rundown of the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Winner – Josef Newgarden
Newgarden’s back-to-back win was an instant classic. The duel between he and Pato O’Ward will be in clips highlighting this event for generations. This year he had less traffic to deal with as he was in the top 10 all race long when not cycling through pit stops. For his 30th IndyCar win and Roger Penske’s 20th Indy 500 win, he will receive a huge bag of money – over $4.2 million. Also, this kicks him back up the points after getting zip for the retroactive revocation of his win St. Petersburg.
Runner-up – Pato O’Ward
The images are everywhere. O’Ward’s emotions after losing out by less than half a lap will be the most vulnerable any driver will ever let themselves appear because Indy means this much. Looking at his stats in his career, he adds another runner-up to the one from 2022, to go with a fourth and sixth. His average finish in Indy 500s in which he was running at the finish is 3.5. Very good for a guy who just finished his fifth Memorial Day Classic. For the most popular driver in IndyCar, does his destiny take him down a Tony Kanaan path, or that of Michael Andretti? As for the team, Arrow McLaren has been incredibly strong in the last few 500s, but have yet to take the checkered first.
Third – Scott Dixon
An alternate pit strategy got the six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon toward the front. But he didn’t have the car or the Honda engine to hold off the high-speed Chevrolets of Penske and Arrow McLaren. This is his first podium since his second place in 2020. He added 12 more to his IMS record-holding tally of laps led, increasing it to 677. Also, this is his 16th race led out of his 22 starts in the 500.
Fourth – 11th
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