The 2025 IndyCar season was packed with unforgettable, dramatic, and surprising moments that felt nostalgic. Here’s a recap of my top 10 highlights from the year, marking FOX’s debut broadcast of the series. These moments aren’t necessarily the best but are definitely the most memorable.
10. Pato O’Ward finally beat Joseph Newgarden at Iowa Speedway in July, ending a streak where O’Ward hadn’t finished ahead of Newgarden in previous meetings. This victory came at the last IndyCar race weekend at Iowa Speedway for the foreseeable future.
9. Early in the season, Devlin DeFrancesco’s actions on the formation lap upset Scott McLaughlin, leading to contact and a penalty for DeFrancesco, but he wasn’t willing to just accept McLaughlin’s criticism quietly.
8. During the first Detroit practice, Will Power delivered a rough move on Kyle Kirkwood—a maneuver usually seen in NASCAR—that left Kirkwood rattled, though he quickly moved past it to win the race two days later.
7. Kyle Larson’s attempt to race 1,100 miles in one day ended in a crash on lap 92 of the Indy 500. This was Larson’s third crash in a month, including one at Indianapolis testing and another later that day at the Cork 600.
6. Scott McLaughlin, starting on the front row at the Indy 500, lost control during tire warm-up and crashed before the green flag. This added to Team Penske’s tough month at Indy, involving technical issues and internal changes with team executives.
5. Santino Ferrucci entertained fans with his playful spirit after a fan threw a beer at him post-Road America, but later clashed with Conor Daly at Mid-Ohio, producing a moment that surprised many.
4. Rookie Robert Schwartzman stunned the crowd at the Indy 500 by securing pole position with an impressive four-lap run, despite never having raced on an oval before. This was a remarkable accomplishment for the Prema driver and his rookie team.
3. The Portland race was huge, with Will Power securing Team Penske’s first win of the season amidst speculation about his departure. Alex Palou celebrated winning his third consecutive IndyCar championship and fourth in five years.
2. Joseph Newgarden endured a severe crash at World Wide Technology Raceway, flipping onto his roof. Thankfully, he escaped uninjured but faced a challenging season that only ended with a late win in Nashville.
1. Alex Palou finally conquered his last IndyCar barrier by winning the 2025 Indianapolis 500. With excellent teamwork, strategy, and driving, he clinched eight victories in 17 races, making this the season’s crowning highlight.
Bob Pockras, a veteran motorsports reporter covering NASCAR and IndyCar for FOX Sports, has witnessed decades of racing dramas, including over 30 Daytona 500s.
Fan Take: For NASCAR fans, the 2025 IndyCar season’s dramatic moments highlight the intense competition and unpredictability that motorsports offer. These thrilling stories not only deepen fan engagement but also hint at exciting cross-series dynamics that could broaden the sport’s appeal and growth.
