Current:Home > NewsPato O'Ward frustrated after heartbreaking finish at 2024 Indy 500: "So (expletive) close" -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Pato O'Ward frustrated after heartbreaking finish at 2024 Indy 500: "So (expletive) close"
View
Date:2025-04-16 04:04:52
Josef Newgarden has become the first back-to-back Indy 500 winner since Helio Castroneves in 2001 and 2002. However, his win did not come without controversy. Runner-up Pato O'Ward, who had secured top-five finishes at the Indy 500 in both 2021 (fourth) and 2022 (second) was visibly upset with how he finished. During his postrace interview, he expressed his frustrations.
That wasn't all though. Prior to that statement, O'Ward told reporters, "It’s hard to put it into words. I’m proud of the work that we did today. We recovered, we went back, we went forward, we went back. Some people just driving like maniacs. We had so many near race-enders. So close again. So (expletive) close."
Indy 500 results:Indy 500 live updates: Josef Newgarden wins back-to-back Indy 500s after epic duel
Pato O'Ward's frustrating finish at 2023 Indy 500
O'Ward knows a thing or two about ending a race early at the Brickyard. Just last year, O'Ward finished 24th at the Indy 500 despite leading for a race-high 39 laps. Unfortunately, he crashed out attempting to take the lead with just seven laps to go and was obviously very distraught about the whole situation, claiming a fellow racer, Marcus Ericsson, "pinched" him, causing the crash.
Now, in 2024, despite another strong finish, O'Ward is still looking for that first Indy 500 victory and is unsure how many more races like that he has in him. That's what makes it the most heartbreaking in his eyes. When asked whether or not the venue made the second-place finish more painful, O'Ward said:
"[Indianapolis] owes me nothing. I’d much rather obviously finish the race rather than compared to last year. It’s always a heartbreak whenever you’re so close especially when it’s not the first time. You just don’t know how many opportunities like that you have."
IndyCar series:Will Power reacts after Indy 500 crash at Turn 1 causes heavy front damage
It's hard to root against O'Ward given all the close finishes he's had. The emotion he offered fans in his postrace interview certainly adds to the appeal. At the very least, no one can say that he didn't give it everything he had. "I put that car through things I never thought it was gonna be able to do," he said. "Oh man, it’s just so painful when you put so much into it and then two laps short I guess. Or two corners short."
O'Ward has participated in the Indy 500 five times now in his career, and has recorded a top-10 finish in every race that he's completed. While it is easy to say that he will have many more opportunities and will eventually break through, it's still devastating to see someone come so close numerous times only to finish short every year.
Indianapolis 500 photos:Crashes mar race early after long rain delay
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Everyone in Houston has a Beyoncé story, it seems. Visit the friendly city with this guide.
- Rihanna gushes about A$AP Rocky's parenting: 'I loved him differently as a dad'
- Playing live, ‘Nutcracker’ musicians bring unseen signature to holiday staple
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Washington’s Kalen DeBoer is the AP coach of the year after leading undefeated Huskies to the CFP
- Publishers association struggled to find willing recipient of Freedom to Publish Award
- Florida house explosion injures 4 and investigators are eyeing gas as the cause, sheriff says
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Teddi Mellencamp shares skin cancer update after immunotherapy treatment failed: 'I have faith'
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- 2024 MLS SuperDraft: Tyrese Spicer of Lipscomb goes No. 1 to Toronto FC
- Judge orders release of over 150 names of people mentioned in Jeffrey Epstein lawsuit documents
- China’s Alibaba names CEO Eddie Wu to head its e-commerce business as its growth falters
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Morant’s 34 points in stirring season debut lead Grizzlies to 115-113 win over Pelicans
- Céline Dion lost control over her muscles amid stiff-person syndrome, her sister says
- Recalled applesauce pouches now linked to more than 200 lead poisoning cases in 33 states, CDC says
Recommendation
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
With menthol cigarette ban delayed, these Americans will keep seeing the effects, data shows
Zac Efron and Lily James on the simple gesture that frames the tragedy of the Von Erich wrestlers
Anthony Edwards is a 'work in progress,' coach says. What we know about text fiasco
What to watch: O Jolie night
Patrick Dempsey credits 'Grey's Anatomy' with creating a new generation of doctors
Groups sue over new Texas law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally
Minnesota's new state flag design is finalized