Josef Newgarden Wins Indianapolis 500

Josef Newgarden has been the IndyCar Series champion three times but in 11 Indianapolis 500s, his best finish was third in 2016. That ended this year when Newgarden passed defending Indy 500 champion Marcus Ericcson on the last lap to take the checkered flag.

Newgarden, from Nashville, is the first American driver to win the Indianapolis 500 since 2016. It was also the 19th Indianapolis 500 win for Team Penske owner Roger Penske.

There was the usual assortment of crashes, including one involving Kyle Kirkwood. Kirkwood’s car hit the wall and a wheel flew off and over the fence around the track, fortunately missing the packed grandstand but hitting a car in the parking lot. No one was injured.