Newgarden earns record winnings from Indy 500 win
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Josef Newgarden earned nearly $4.3 million for his second consecutive Indianapolis 500 win, marking the largest winner’s payout in history, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced Monday. The earnings come from a record total purse of $18.5 million.
Newgarden’s winnings include a $440,000 rollover bonus from BorgWarner for earning back-to-back wins. That jackpot increases by $20,000 each year and was last awarded when Helio Castroneves achieved the feat in 2002.
“The Indianapolis 500 is the greatest race in the world, and this record-breaking purse is reflective of just how monumental competing in and winning at Indy is for these drivers,” Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles said in a news release. “Despite weather challenges, the Month of May featured packed grandstands and intense on-track action. Presenting this purse is the ideal end cap to an epic month.”
Pato O’Ward earned $1.05 million for finishing in second place. Additionally, NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson earned Rookie of the Year honors.
IMS said the average payout for IndyCar drivers was $543,000, which also exceeds last year’s average of $500,600.