Not So ‘Simple Simon’ Throws A ‘Simon Says’ Curve Into The Finale Of The 103rd INDY500

Team Penske's Simon Pagenaud looks skyward, with an empty milk bottle in each hand, as he completes a sweep of the NTT IndyCar Series (NICS) activity at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the "Month-Of-May." After having a lackluster year without wins in all of 2018, and having a dismal start through the first four races in 2019, Simon re-establishes his rightful place in the list of top accomplished drivers in the NICS. He did this by qualifying with a NTT P1 Pole Award followed by a victory in the IMS road course event the INDYCAR Grand Prix, then capturing the NTT P1 Pole Award followed by a victory in the IMS oval race known as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" - 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. He started May at P11 in the driver championship points standings, and ended May by leading in the 2019 championship points race by one point over teammate Josef Newgarden. Image Credit: Tristan Vautier (2019)

Not So 'Simple Simon' Throws A 'Simon Says' Curve Into The Finale Of The 103rd INDY500

This edition of the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge did not succumb to the dire predictions (as high as an 80% chance) of a rain influenced contest. The INDY500 did not come down to a precisely managed fuel consumption strategy session, thanks to accident miscues on the track late in the race, much to the chagrin of Spencer Pigot and Scott Dixon, as well as the joy  who were beginning to reel in the leaders if this test continued its long Green Flag stints.