Manor Formula One reserve driver and Indianapolis 500 rookie Alexander Rossi appeared to coast through the finish running on what had to be leftover gas fumes to win today’s 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Rossi opted to stay out in his No. 98 Andretti Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian Honda in the final laps of today’s race when the two drivers who were in front of him—Carlos Muñoz and Josef Newgarden—opted to play it safe and pit.
This meant that Rossi would be stretching his fuel to reach the finish line, but it ultimately worked. He came across Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s famous brick finish line 4.4975 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Carlos Muñoz. Josef Newgarden came in a mere 0.4329 seconds after Muñoz to claim third place.
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Rossi’s fuel consumption cut it extremely close, though, as his car sputtered on the last lap. He coasted to a halt shortly after reaching the finish line and his car had to be towed back. Rossi completed 36 laps on his last tank of fuel.
“I have no idea how we pulled that out,” Rossi said after the race.
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Rossi is the first rookie to win the Indianapolis 500 since Helio Castroneves in 2001.
Enjoy that 2 percent milk, Alexander Rossi. You’ve earned it.
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