Indy 500 2025: Palou's Historic Win Overshadowed by Shwartzman's Scary Crash
Honestly, the 2025 Indy 500 was a rollercoaster. Alex Palou's victory was a huge moment – the first Spaniard to ever win the race! But I'll be honest, that incredible achievement was almost overshadowed by the absolutely terrifying crash involving Robert Shwartzman.
A Rookie's Nightmare
Shwartzman, who made history as the first rookie to qualify on pole since 1983, had a nightmare end to what started as a dream race. He was running in 13th on lap 87 when he lost his brakes coming into the pits. The images were shocking – his car careening into his pit crew. It was a truly frightening scene; one crew member even had to be carried off on a stretcher. Thankfully, it seems like everyone's injuries weren't too serious, which is a huge relief.
“When it was yellow I came in and honestly it felt really strange, I locked both front tires which usually is not the case,” he said later. It's still unclear whether it was a brake issue or cold tires causing the problem, but the aftermath was incredibly scary. "Luckily nobody got really hardly injured. It was really scary. When I braked I was just a passenger,” he added.
Palou's Triumph
Amidst the chaos, Alex Palou delivered a masterful performance. He held off a strong challenge from Marcus Ericsson in the final laps to clinch his first Indy 500 victory. It was a truly incredible moment for him and for Spain. He was clearly ecstatic. “I cannot believe it. What an amazing day. What an amazing race,” he said. Palou, already having a stellar season with five wins in the first six races, added another incredible win to his name. His dominance is undeniable.
Ericsson, the 2022 winner, put up a great fight, but ultimately had to settle for second. David Malukas completed the podium in third, looking visibly disappointed but also acknowledging Palou's skill. "That was painful to miss out so close again, second time second," Ericsson said. "This is a winner-takes-all kind of place, so yeah, it’s really painful.”
A Day of Upsets
Unfortunately, there were other serious incidents throughout the day. Several drivers crashed, including some big names. Scott McLaughlin, for example, crashed during the warm-up lap—that has to be crushing. Josef Newgarden's bid for a three-peat ended early due to a fuel pressure issue. It was a race full of twists and turns.
- Marco Andretti crashed out on the first lap.
- Kyle Larson crashed on lap 92.
- Rinus Veekay had a pit lane crash.
- Alexander Rossi's car caught fire.
I’ve never seen so many incidents in a single Indy 500. It was definitely a race to remember, for all the right and wrong reasons.
Larson's Double Duty Dream Ends
Speaking of Kyle Larson...his attempt at the "double," racing in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, ended in disappointment. He crashed out of the Indy 500, then had an even rougher time at Charlotte, ultimately finishing 37th. You could feel the tension and pressure throughout the coverage.
Indy 500 Results 2025 (Top 3)
- 1st: Alex Palou
- 2nd: Marcus Ericsson
- 3rd: David Malukas
The 2025 Indy 500 will be remembered as a race of incredible highs and devastating lows. While Alex Palou's victory will be celebrated for years to come, the unsettling images of Shwartzman's pit crash will likely linger for many.
