Team Penske's Simon Pagenaud stormed through the field in a late charge to snatch victory away from reigning series champion Scott Dixon with just two laps to go in a rain-affected Indianapolis Grand Prix.
The threat of rain loomed throughout the race, but it took a long time to hit the circuit hard enough to warrant the switch to wet tyres, but once it did the #22 Menards car became the fastest car on the track, passing his rivals with ease.
It looked as if the Frenchman may have had to settle for second place, but Dixon locked up into Turn 7 while struggling on worn tyres and that gifted Pagenaud the chance to take the lead on the penultimate lap.
Pagenaud's win makes it his third at the event, putting himself level with team-mate Will Power as the pair remain the only winners of the IndyGP since it hit the calendar in 2014. It also marked his first victory since the final race of 2017 in Sonoma, California.
Dixon took command of the race after the first caution, nailing team-mate and polesitter Felix Rosenqvist into Turn 1. He appeared to be in imperious form as the race wore on.
However as the race progressed, the Kiwi appeared to struggle with tyre wear which led to a loss of pace from the #9 PNC Bank Ganassi-Honda. Despite leading the most laps, he had to settle for second place.
Meyer Shank Racing's Jack Harvey showed off his skills throughout the race after crossing the line to take his first podium finish in IndyCar in third place. The British driver was quick off the mark as the race started putting a move on Dixon on the first lap.
As the rain hit later in the race, his team admitted he had never driven an IndyCar in such conditions, but it proved no issue for him as he continued in pursuit of Dixon throughout the race.
A.J Foyt's Matheus Leist pulled off a stunning fourth-place finish with the #4 entry, having started all the way back in 21st place, banking changing to wet tyres during a late caution period which helped the young Brazilian to his best IndyCar career finish.
Ed Carpenter Racing showed tremendous pace with both Spencer Pigot and Ed Jones who finished in fifth and sixth place respectively.
Jones was challenging for the lead for most of the race with Dixon and Harvey but was caught out by the rain late on.
Power made the most of his day in seventh after a tough race saw him fall towards the back of the field the during the middle part of the event as the inclement conditions headed towards the circuit.
Rosenqvist led the field away from the start in dry conditions and looked to have the pace on everyone, but as the rain headed for the direction of IMS, the #10 NTT Data appeared to struggle.
The Swede also had to contend with two pit fires during the race as the Ganassi team appeared to suffer problems with the fuel rig, no one appeared to be injured in the events. Rosenqvist was also able to get up to speed quickly, using the airflow at high speed to put out the flames licking at the bodywork.
Graham Rahal was able to bring his #15 car home in ninth ahead of rookie Santino Ferrucci in 10th who was putting moves on his rivals whilst having moves put on him as the rain came in.
There were numerous incidents over the 85-lap race, notably involving Carlin's Patricio O'Ward who hit Andretti Autosport's Alexander Rossi on the initial race start, causing damage to the #27 NAPA car.
James Hinchcliffe also had to serve a drive-through after out-braked himself and hit Ryan Hunter-Reay into Turn 1.
Josef Newgarden also had to fall to the back of the field after looking to be in a solid position to score points after his pit crew let loose a wheel which ran free into the pit lane.
Practice for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 gets underway on Tuesday, May 14.
