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Closest Indy 500 finishes: Where Felix Rosenqvist's last-lap pass of David Malukas ranks on all-time list originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Indy 500 is billed as the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." The 2026 version of the competition more than lived up to its reputation.
The Memorial Day weekend staple proved especially noteworthy this year. Drivers danced up and down the field, producing more lead changes than any other Indy 500 in history. The action was frantic from the first lap to the last. In fact, that final lap proved one of the most consequential in open-wheel racing history.
Felix Rosenqvist and David Malukas locked horns throughout the afternoon, relishing their place as two of the likeliest candidates to hoist the Borg-Warner Trophy above their heads. When the action subsided, it was Rosenqvist whose hands were clasped across the checkered flag. It took a historic effort from the Swedish star to make that a reality.
With that, here's what you need to know about the 2026 Indy 500 finish, the closest in the event's glittering history.
MORE: Full results, standings & highlights from 2026 Indy 500
Closest Indy 500 finishes
Rosenqvist overtook Malukas with a daring last-lap move on the final straightaway. He launched himself into the record books in more ways than one with his dizzying juke.
With a margin of victory of just 0.0233 seconds, Rosenqvist set the record for closest finish in the race's history. Al Unser Jr. held the previous mark, besting Scott Goodyear in the 1992 iteration of the race by just 0.043 seconds.
Rosenqvist found himself on the outside looking in of a title at the Brickyard after the final turn. Malukas held control of the field in the race's waning moments, fending off Rosenqvist and Scott McLaughlin to keep the lead with seconds to go.
With time running out, Rosenqvist dipped towards the center of the track in the hope of creating momentum for himself. The two chariots were level for a spell, with Rosenqvist only just pushing his nose out in front as he pulled to the line.
It was final of 70 lead changes that took place throughout the race. That set a race record, besting the previous high-water mark of 68, set in 2013.
MORE: Why Felix Rosenqvist drove car with Morgan Wallen's name on it during Indy 500
"I don't even know what to say," Rosenqvist said post-race. "What a car. What a car."
Here's a look at how Rosenqvist's margin of victory compares to those of his predecessors.
| Rank | Driver | Second-place finisher | Margin of victory | Year |
| 1 | Felix Rosenqvist | David Malukas | 0.0233s | 2026 |
| 2 | Al Unser Jr. | Scott Goodyear | 0.043s | 1992 |
| 3 | Ryan Hunter-Reay | Helio Castroneves | 0.060s | 2014 |
| 4 | Sam Hornish Jr. | Marco Andretti | 0.063s | 2006 |
| 5 | Josef Newgarden | Marcus Ericsson | 0.097s | 2023 |
| 6 | Juan Montoya | Will Power | 0.104s | 2015 |
| 7 | Gordon Johncock | Rick Mears | 0.160s | 1982 |
| 8 | Takuma Soto | Helio Castroneves | 0.201s | 2017 |
| 9 | Simon Pagenaud | Alexander Rossi | 0.208s | 2019 |
| 10 | Gil Ferran | Helio Castroneves | 0.299s | 2003 |
As painful as it was for Malukas, he and Rosenqvist were part of a historic final stretch at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.
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