Marcus Ericsson wins Indy 500 in two-lap shootout over Pato O’Ward

INDIANAPOLIS — Marcus Ericsson won the 106th Indy 500, outdueling Pato O’Ward in a thrilling finish Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Swedish driver led the final 11 laps, but it wasn’t easy as the race was red-flagged with five laps remaining for a crash involving Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Jimmie Johnson.

After a restart with two laps remaining, Ericsson got a good jump and then fended off a charge by O’Ward, who had Arrow McLaren SP teammate Felix Rosenqvist directly behind and Tony Kanaan on the outside.

RESULTS: Where everyone finished in the 106th Indy 500

MARCUS ERICSSON WINS THE INDY 500!#Indy500 pic.twitter.com/C2mqkMbEPA

— #Indy500 on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 29, 2022

Ericsson’s No. 8 Dallara-Honda won by 1.7829 seconds over O’Ward, with Kanaan, Rosenqvist and Alexander Rossi rounding out the top five.

The race ended under yellow for a wreck involving Sage Karam.

It was the first victory of the 2022 season for Ericsson and the third of his career.

Ericsson, who is in his fourth full season of IndyCar after a brief career in Formula One, drove like a veteran over the final two laps, snaking all over the straightaways to break the draft of the cars behind him.

“I couldn’t believe it, “Ericsson told NBC Sports’ Marty Snider. “I felt you can never take anything for granted and obviously there was still laps to go, and I was praying so hard it was not going to be another yellow. But I knew it was probably going to be one. It was hard to sort of refocus. But I knew the car was amazing. The 8 crew and Chip Ganassi Racing and Honda has done such an amazing job. So I knew the car was fast enough.

“But it was still hard. I had to do everything there to keep them behind, but I can’t believe it. I’m so happy. My