2026 Indianapolis 500 results: Felix Rosenqvist edges David Malukas in photo finish

Rosenqvist held off Malukas after a one-lap sprint to the finish, the closest in the race's storied history

Felix Rosenqvist has won the 110th Indianapolis 500 in the closest finish in the history of the race. The 34-year-old will kiss the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time after waiting quite a while for that opportunity.

Due to Mick Schumacher clipping the wall with four laps remaining, there was a one-lap sprint to the finish under the green flag. For most of the final lap, it appeared as though 24-year-old American David Malukas would take the win, but Rosenqvist flew up past him at the very last moment for the victory.

It was a photo finish, and Rosenqvist beat Malukas by just 0.0233 seconds, the slimmest margin in the history of this storied race. That last-second lead change was the 70th of the day -- yet another Indianapolis 500 record.

Rosenqvist began the day in fourth place, and his Meyer Shank Racing team took an aggressive strategy, trying to finish the race on one less stop than the other cars around him. On a day that saw quite a few yellow flags and a brief red flag for rain, the strategy worked as Rosenqvist had just enough steam to beat Malukas to the finish line.

In addition to picking up his first Indianapolis 500 win, Rosenqvist also became a father a few weeks ago, and he talked about some of those emotions on the track immediately after his record-breaking victory.

"That last yellow didn't help us, but it worked out the right way when I got back to third," Rosenqvist said. "I just got a flat-out lap on the high line, and it worked out. This is the coolest way you can finish a win at the Indy 500. I really miss my wife and newborn child, Stella, here. I wish they were here with me, but my sister is here somewhere, so I'll celebrate with her."

On the other end of that historic finish was Malukas, who was a couple of hundredths of a second away from an Indianapolis 500 win. He was in disbelief as he spoke to the Fox broadcast about that final lap.

"I don't know what else we could've done," Malukas said. "We were the fastest car all race. I gave it 150 percent. I almost crashed this damn car on every lap. We still end up with a P2. I can't believe it. I don't know what else we can do."

Last year's Indianapolis 500 winner, Alex Palou, finished in seventh after leading much of the race with Chip Ganassi teammate Scott Dixon. At different points in the race, it also looked as though Pato O'Ward could get his first Indianapolis 500 victory, but it wasn't to be as his car just wasn't quite quick enough in the final sprint.

2026 Indianapolis 500 results

1. Felix Rosenqvist
2. David Malukas
3. Scott McLaughlin
4. Pato O'Ward
5. Marcus Armstrong
6. Rinus VeeKay
7. Alex Palou
8. Santino Ferrucci
9. Romain Grosjean
10. Takuma Sato
11. Nolan Siegel
12. Connor Daly
13. Marcus Ericsson
14. Kyffin Simpson
15. Scott Dixon
16. Kyle Kirkwood
17. Christian Lundgaard
18. Mick Schumacher
19. Dennis Hauger
20. Graham Rahal
21. Louis Foster
22. Jack Harvey
23. Sting Ray Robb
24. Jacob Abel
25. Helio Castroneves (DNF)
26. Caio Collet (DNF)
27. Christian Rasmussen (DNF)
28. Josef Newgarden (DNF)
29. Will Power (DNF)
30. Alexander Rossi (DNF)
31. Ed Carpenter (DNF)
32. Ryan Hunter-Reay (DNF)
33. Katherine Legge (DNF)

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[May 24, 2026 at 4:19 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

What a finish to the 110th Indianapolis 500. It doesn't get much better than that. Yet another yellow flag led to a one-lap sprint to the finish line, and it looked like David Malukas would take home the win after passing Marcus Armstrong early in that last lap. However, Rosenqvist found enough steam to pass Malukas at the very last second in a wheel-to-wheel finish in which the winner wasn't immediately clear.

[May 24, 2026 at 4:07 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

Once the pace car exits the track, it will be a four-lap spring with Felix Rosenqvist in the lead. This should be intense. Let's do this.

[May 24, 2026 at 3:56 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

Things have just taken a very big turn with under 10 laps remaining in the 2026 Indianapolis 500. Collet could be seen running out of control as his No. 4 car caught fire, bringing out a red flag. All the cars will now retreat to pit lane, and just when Felix Rosenqvist had a victory in his sights, there will be a furious sprint to the finish once the race resumes.

Once the crews get Collet and his career out of harm's way and the debris is cleaned, the 110th Indianapolis 500 will come down to a seven-lap shootout.

[May 24, 2026 at 3:42 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

Felix Rosenqvist's team just came over the radio and said they expect the race to come down to him and Pato O'Ward. Both drivers have taken a more aggressive approach to this Indianapolis 500, and they may be on pace to duel it out over the last few laps. The question is whether both drivers will be able to save enough fuel to reach the checkered flag. Buckle up because this should be an exhilarating finish.

[May 24, 2026 at 3:26 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

With just under one quarter of the race remaining, Kyffin Simpson has the lead, but he'll need to pit again before the end of the race. The group to watch is led by Alex Palou and David Malukas. Near the top of the leaderboard, drivers like Pato O'Ward and Felix Rosenqvist will try to make it the rest of the way on one more pit stop. That's a risky play, but it could prove to be a winning strategy f if those drivers can stretch their fuel far enough.

[May 24, 2026 at 3:01 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

The back-to-back Indianapolis 500 winner from 2023-24 is out of the race. After pushing from further back in the pack, Newgarden had put himself in a position to challenge for another win. Newgarden was going around Turn 4 on the restart when his left tires caught the rumble strip and sent him spinning across the track and into the wall. His day is over, and we go from one yellow flag to another at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

[May 24, 2026 at 2:54 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

The race is currently under a caution due to race conditions, and Malukas is ahead of the pack. He zipped out of the restart following the red flag, and he managed to slip around Alex Palou and Scott Dixon for the lead, but he wasn't the only one who benefited. Connor Daly also climbed six spots from ninth to third as he remains in striking distance. Dixon has dropped down to fifth place as a result of a poor restart out of the red flag.

[May 24, 2026 at 2:39 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

The rain has moved out rather quickly, and the Indianapolis 500 has resumed. With just under half of the event remaining, Scott Dixon and Alex Palou are out in front. Can anyone give them a scare as the action resumes at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

Here's the leaderboard with 95 laps remaining:

1. Scott Dixon
2. Alex Palou
3. David Malukas
4. Josef Newgarden
5. Scott McLaughlin
6. Pato O'Ward
7. Felix Rosenqvist
8. Marcus Ericsson
9. Connor Daly
10. Marcus Armstrong

[May 24, 2026 at 2:26 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

We made it 105 laps before the rain hit Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the red flag has been displayed, so things are on hold until conditions improve. Scott Dixon is the current leader -- and if the race doesn't resume -- he will be declared the winner now that The Greatest Spectacle in Racing is more than halfway completed. Hopefully the rain blows out of town rather quickly, but we'll keep you updated on the status of the race as the situation develops.

Dixon's wife, Emma, is certainly hoping that the race gets called in short order.

[May 24, 2026 at 2:15 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

Rossi, who was driving through injury today, is also out of the race due to engine trouble with his No. 20 car. Rossi could be seen around the track on crutches after a wreck forced him to undergo procedures on his hand and foot. Rossi may not have been able to walk, but nothing was going to make him miss the Indianapolis 500. Unfortunately, Rossi's day comes to an abrupt end after a rather strong start from him.

Here's what the leaderboard looks like after 100 laps:

1. Scott Dixon
2. Alex Palou
3. David Malukas
4. Josef Newgarden
5. Scott McLaughlin
6. Pato O'Ward
7. Felix Rosenqvist
8. Marcus Ericsson
9. Connor Daly
10. Marcus Armstrong

[May 24, 2026 at 2:05 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

Well, that's some horrid luck for Will Power. On the 93rd lap, Power's care started leaking fluid, and he appeared to lose all power as he coasted off the of the track. Fortunately for Power and the rest of the drivers in the field, Power was able to get out of the way before anyone collided with him. There is a caution flag out now as crews work to clear the track, and we'll see how this impacts team strategies with the halfway point approaching.

[May 24, 2026 at 1:54 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Alex Palou and Scott Dixon are playing things almost perfectly to this point. Those two are trading places in front to conserve as much fuel as possible while the rest of the field burns it up trying to keep up with them. Palou and Dixon are trying to take the drama out of the 110th Indianapolis 500, and it's working to this point. Will another wreck or some inclement weather shake things up in the near future?

[May 24, 2026 at 1:38 pm ET · Austin Nivison]

Thus far, the day has gone fairly well for Palou as he looks to win back-to-back Indianapolis 500 titles. Palou is the leader after 50 laps, but Indiana native Connor Daly is on his heels in second place.

One of the biggest movers so far is two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden, who has worked his way up to fifth place after starting in the No. 23 spot. Newgarden looks poised to challenge Palou by the time this race is over, so an epic battle might be brewing.

Here's the top of the leaderboard as it stands now:

1. Alex Palou
2. Connor Daly
3. David Malukas
4. Scott McLaughlin
5. Josef Newgarden
6. Felix Rosenqvist
7. Santino Ferrucci
8. Scott Dixon
9. Kyffin Simpson
10. Pato O'Ward