Felix Rosenqvist etched his name into Indianapolis 500 history after defeating David Malukas by just 0.0233 seconds in 2026, officially producing the closest finish the race has ever seen.
The dramatic final-lap pass immediately surpassed one of the most famous records in motorsport history, beating the long-standing 1992 margin between Al Unser Jr. and Scott Goodyear.
Rosenqvist’s victory added another unforgettable chapter to a race already famous for producing some of the tightest finishes in world motorsport.
Closest Indianapolis 500 finishes in history
Following Rosenqvist’s record-breaking victory in 2026, these are now the 10 closest finishes in Indianapolis 500 history, according to Fastest33:
- 2026: Felix Rosenqvist beat David Malukas by 0.0233 seconds
- 1992: Al Unser Jr. beat Scott Goodyear by 0.043 seconds
- 2014: Ryan Hunter-Reay beat Helio Castroneves by 0.060 seconds
- 2006: Sam Hornish Jr. beat Marco Andretti by 0.063 seconds
- 2023: Josef Newgarden beat Marcus Ericsson by 0.097 seconds
- 1982: Gordon Johncock beat Rick Mears by 0.160 seconds
- 1977: A.J. Foyt beat Tom Sneva by 0.160 seconds
- 1911: Ray Harroun beat Ralph Mulford by 1.430 seconds
- 2011: Dan Wheldon beat JR Hildebrand by 2.168 seconds
- 2019: Simon Pagenaud beat Alexander Rossi by 2.439 seconds
The previous benchmark had stood untouched for more than three decades after Unser Jr.’s famous duel with Goodyear in 1992.
That finish was widely considered one of the greatest endings in Indianapolis 500 history before Rosenqvist and Malukas somehow produced an even narrower margin in 2026.
Felix Rosenqvist denied David Malukas in final-lap thriller
Rosenqvist secured the biggest victory of his career after passing Malukas during the final sprint to the finish line following a late restart.
The Meyer Shank Racing driver surged alongside Malukas exiting Turn 4 before edging ahead by just 0.0233 seconds at the chequered flag.
The tiny margin immediately shattered the previous Indianapolis 500 record and instantly became one of the defining moments in modern IndyCar history.
The victory marked Rosenqvist’s first Indianapolis 500 triumph and only the second IndyCar win of his career.
For Malukas, meanwhile, the heartbreaking defeat created one of the cruellest near-misses the Indianapolis 500 has ever produced after he led late in the race.
But regardless of the disappointment for Malukas, the 2026 edition will now forever be remembered as the year the Indianapolis 500 produced the closest finish the race has ever seen.
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