Arrow McLaren ace Pato O’Ward was like, “Nah, I don’t want to win last year’s Indianapolis 500 by default, even though people are saying the car that beat me was all sketchy.” In the Fast 12 qualifying sesh for this year’s Indy 500, Team Penske’s Newgarden and Power got busted for messing with their rear attenuator, a part that IndyCar says you can’t touch. When IndyCar Tech found out, they yanked Newgarden and Power from the qualifying line, shoving them back to the fourth row, next to their buddy Scott McLaughlin, who didn’t mess with his car but crashed it during practice. But then IndyCar said, “Nope, you guys are starting 32nd and 33rd now, and here’s a $100,000 fine for each of you.” Oh, and pics from Newgarden’s win last year suggest his car had the same illegal tweak that helped him beat O’Ward by 0.3417s.
O’Ward was chill about the whole thing, saying he didn’t wanna win the 500 a year later just ’cause someone else got caught breaking the rules. He’s all about that real Indy 500 winner experience, you know, the whole shebang. He’s amped to start in third place this year and thinks he’s got what it takes to snag that win. Meanwhile, Newgarden didn’t wanna talk about the car stuff or his team shakeup, but he’s focused on making history by winning Indy three times in a row. He’s cool with starting from the back ’cause he’s done it before and knows the drill.
### Ready for the Race
O’Ward is pumped for the race and doesn’t really care about inheriting a win. He’s all about that genuine Indy 500 winner feeling. Newgarden, on the other hand, is keeping his cool despite the setbacks. He’s got his eyes set on making history with a three-peat win. Both drivers are gearing up for an intense showdown on the track, each with their own strategy and mindset.
### The Road to Victory
Starting from different positions on the grid, O’Ward and Newgarden have their own game plan for the big race. O’Ward is looking to capitalize on his best starting position yet, while Newgarden is drawing on past experiences to navigate his way to the front. With the Indy 500 being a test of endurance and strategy, both drivers are gearing up for a thrilling battle on the iconic track. Will O’Ward claim his first 500 win, or will Newgarden make history with a third consecutive victory? The stage is set for an epic showdown on race day.
