INDIANAPOLIS – The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 will commence Sunday. The annual automobile race will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.  

When is the Indy 500?

Indianapolis hosted its annual IndyCar road race May 10. Indianapolis 500 qualifying was held May 17-18, and the Greatest Spectacle in Racing is set for May 25.

Conor Daly, driver of the #24 DRR-CUSICK MOTORSPORTS, leads during the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 26, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

What time does the race start?

The race was set to begin at 12:45 p.m. ET, but experienced a rain delay. 

How to watch and stream the race?

The Indy 500 will be broadcast on FOX. It will also be available to stream live on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app.

Who to watch in the Indy 500?

You can view the entry list here. 

Four-time Super Bowl champion and FOX NFL studio analyst Rob Gronkowski will make his debut at the Racing Capital of the World as grand marshal of the Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit.

“I can’t wait for this year’s Indianapolis 500 on FOX,” he said in an online statement. “Not only do I get to attend my first-ever Indy 500, I’ll do it in style as the grand marshal of the legendary Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit. This is one of the coolest combinations of sports and music out there and in the ultimate venue. I’m ready to get the party started and celebrate the biggest race in the world.”

INDIANAPOLIS — Scott McLaughlin crashed during the warm-up laps for the Indianapolis 500 and immediately burst into tears. The Team Penske driver slammed into the wall as he was swerving to warm his tires before Sunday’s green flag.

The New Zealander, who was slated to start 10th, buried his head in his hands while crouched on the infield grass. McLaughlin was Penske’s highest-starting driver after two-time defending race winner Josef Newgarden and Will Power were penalized and dropped to the back of the field for failing inspection.

It was reminiscent of the 1992 Indianapolis 500, when pole-sitter Roberto Guerrero spun out and crashed while also trying to warm up his tires during the parade laps.

“I really have no idea what happened,” a heartbroken McLaughlin said. “I can’t believe we’re out of the race. I had so much hope. It’s the worst moment of my life.”

At the same time that McLaughlin was being tended to, smoke and flames began shooting out from under Scott Dixon’s car. It was not clear what the issue was for the Chip Ganassi Racing driver, who is the 2008 race winner.

When the race went green, Marco Andretti made contact with first Jack Harvey, which caused him to spin, before Marcus Armstrong hit Andretti on the first lap. His father and grandfather, Michael Andretti and Mario Andretti, just shook their heads in disbelief.

It makes for back-to-back DNF’s for Andretti in the race his grandfather won in 1969.

Roger Penske delivered the command for drivers to start their engines after a 42-minute delay for rain — a pause that put Kyle Larson’s attempt to complete “the double” and race 1,100-miles in one day in jeopardy.

The NASCAR star must leave Indianapolis Motor Speedway by 4 p.m. to make it to Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, where the Coca-Cola 600 is his priority. Only one driver has ever completed all 1,100 miles — Tony Stewart in 2001. Larson’s bid failed last year because a rain delay in Indianapolis made him miss the Coca-Cola 600.

Larson could be seen checking his watch from inside his car as he waited for Penske’s command. He’s starting second in Charlotte and 19th in the Indy 500.

Meanwhile, a swarm of people poured through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway gates as soon as it opened. Some were shirtless, some wore American flag overalls, others checkered flag mini-skirts.

As they entered the main tunnel nearly five hours before the race, a large group began a thunderous “Let’s Go Pacers!” chant; The Indiana Pacers host Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks a few hours after the 109th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

The grandstands are sold out for the first time since 2016 and IndyCar expects 350,000 people will be on IMS property for Sunday’s race. One tunnel at the speedway had to be closed to motorized vehicles four hours before the race to handle the pedestrian volume.

Pato O’Ward, a two-time Indy 500 runner-up, and two-time reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou are the co-favorites, listed at +500 by BetMGM. O’Ward starts third and would be the first Mexican winner; Palou, winner of four of the first five races this season, would be the first Spanish winner should he earn his first career victory on an oval track.

Robert Shwartzman, a dual national of Israel and Russia, will be the first rookie to lead the field to green since 1983 in the Indianapolis 500 debut for Prema Racing. The Italian team is dominant in Europe but new this season to IndyCar, and Shwartzman has never raced on an oval.

The 25-year-old drives under the Israel flag and is the first Israeli in the field.All eyes will be on Penske drivers Newgarden and Power, who started 32nd and 33rd following inspection failures that dropped them to the back of the field. Newgarden is the two-time defending race winner and trying to become the first in history to win three-straight Indy 500s.

No driver has ever won from starting on the last row. Rivals have already declared the Penskes the fastest cars in the field and have said they look forward to watching them pick their way through traffic.

MORE TO COME ON THIS STORY

Originally Published: May 25, 2025 at 11:42 AM PDT

A Gathering of Titans: Sports Legends Converge at Premier Motorsports Event

In a scene that could only be described as the epitome of sports royalty, an extraordinary gathering took place, setting the stage for an unforgettable spectacle. Imagine the convergence of baseball legends Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez with none other than the NFL titan Tom Brady, whose career and persona command a staggering valuation of $300 million. Adding to this illustrious assembly was Michael Strahan, a figure synonymous with versatility and success both on and off the field. This was not the makings of a dream team conjured up in the minds of sports aficionados but a real-life assembly at one of America’s grandest motorsports events.

A Fusion of Excellence Across Disciplines

The presence of such distinguished athletes at a single event underscores a fascinating blend of excellence spanning different sports disciplines. It’s a testament to the universal appeal of competitive spirit and the unifying power of sports. Derek Jeter, a name that resonates with baseball purists and casual fans alike, brings a legacy of dedication and achievement. Alex Rodriguez, another baseball icon, shares a similar stature, having left an indelible mark on the game. Tom Brady, a figure who transcends the realm of the NFL, adds to this mix with his unparalleled career achievements and global recognition. Michael Strahan complements this group perfectly, bridging the gap between sports and mainstream celebrity with his post-football endeavors.

The Impact of Their Presence

The gathering of these sports luminaries at a motorsports event is not just a casual outing but a significant moment that highlights the cross-pollination of fan bases and the broadening appeal of sports events. Their attendance brings a spotlight not only to the event itself but also to the athletes’ ongoing contributions to sports and society. It’s a powerful reminder of how sports figures continue to influence and inspire long after their official playing days are over.

Reflections on Legacy and Influence

The convergence of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Tom Brady, and Michael Strahan at such a venue serves as a vivid illustration of the enduring nature of sports legacies. It’s a celebration of career achievements, personal growth, and the continuous impact these athletes have on fans and aspiring sports figures alike. Their presence at the motorsports event goes beyond mere celebrity sighting; it’s a royal spectacle that elevates the occasion, enriching the experience for attendees and viewers alike.

A Future Filled with Possibilities

As the dust settles on this memorable gathering, it leaves us with a profound appreciation for the journeys of these sports giants and a keen anticipation for what the future holds. The blending of talents and recognition across different sports disciplines at such events opens up exciting possibilities for collaboration, charity, and furthering the cause of sports in society. It’s a reminder that the influence of great athletes extends far beyond their respective fields of play, contributing to a legacy that inspires generations to come.

In the end, the union of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Tom Brady, and Michael Strahan at a premier motorsports event is more than just a momentary spectacle. It’s a testament to the enduring power of sports, the unbreakable bonds between its greatest figures, and the infinite potential for positive impact that these legends carry with them wherever they go.

Memorial Day weekend marks the biggest three days of motorsports in the world. Stars of NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula 1 will be action for some of the biggest races of their seasons.

Lando Norris wins at Monte Carlo for first time, leading home Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and current drivers’ standings leader and McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri.

Lando Norris celebrated his first Monaco Grand Prix win from pole position and slashed McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri’s Formula One drivers’ championship lead to just three points in a race more about strategy than speed.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished runner-up in the home race he won last year, with Piastri third and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen fourth – all four finishing in the order they started.

The Sunday afternoon race featured two mandatory pit stops for the first time, but hopes of more action around the cramped harbourside circuit fell short.

Drivers through the field played a waiting game, with Verstappen holding off his final stop until the penultimate lap and those behind biding their time while keeping out of trouble. Norris ultimately lapped all but four cars.

The win was the Briton’s second in eight races and first since the Australian GP season opener in March, as well as McLaren’s first at Monaco since 2008.

“Monaco baby!” Norris shouted over the radio as the chequered flag finally fell.

“The last quarter was stressful with Leclerc behind and Max ahead, but we won in Monaco,” he said.

“This is what I dreamed of when I was a kid, so I achieved one of my dreams.”

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was fifth, with Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar sixth and Haas’s Esteban Ocon seventh.

Liam Lawson scored his first points of the season for Racing Bulls in eighth place, and Williams completed the top 10 with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.

Mercedes had a dismal afternoon in the Mediterranean sunshine, after a nightmare in qualifying, with George Russell 11th and Italian rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli 18th and the last car still running.

The virtual safety car was deployed on the opening lap when Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto went into the tyre wall at Portier, the turn before the tunnel, as Antonelli passed on the inside.

Bortoleto made it back to the pits and continued.

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was the first retirement, the Frenchman crashing into the back of Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull car at the tunnel exit on lap nine and limping back to the pits with the front left wheel hanging off.

“Is he an idiot? What is he doing?” exclaimed Tsunoda.

Gasly, who said he had no brakes, almost took out Argentine rookie teammate Franco Colapinto as he careered through the Nouvelle Chicane.

Aston Martin’s double world champion Fernando Alonso was the second retirement, pulling off on lap 38 with a smoking car to continue his scoreless run for the season.

The Spanish Grand Prix is the next race on the F1 calendar and will take place on Sunday, June 1.