Colton Herta remains poised and confident as the Indianapolis 500 approaches next Sunday, standing firm in the face of intense rivalry from veteran contenders like Josef Newgarden and Kyle Kirkwood. With the 109th Running of the Indy 500 presented by Gainbridge set to take place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Herta believes he has a car capable of competing for victory, even as Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing continue to showcase dominance in early practice sessions. While Newgarden, the two-time defending champion, has demonstrated speed and confidence, Herta is determined not to be overshadowed, maintaining his focus on the race and his own strengths.
Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing have set the tone this week by dominating speed charts, collectively holding 25 Indy 500 wins, including the last three editions. During Tuesday and Wednesday practices, they swept the top four positions and notably secured the first and second fastest laps on Thursday. Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing, despite four wins this season, insists he does not consider himself the favorite at Indianapolis, pointing instead to Josef Newgarden’s consistent performance and previous victories. “We’ve never won here,” Palou said.
Newgarden echoed this confidence, praising his No. 2 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Team Penske Chevrolet’s performance, which ranked second, third, and fastest during the sessions.
Newgarden said.
On the other hand, Colton Herta of Andretti Global shrugged off Newgarden’s self-assured remarks. “Good for him,” Herta said.
Herta is optimistic about the potential of his No. 26 Gainbridge Honda and remains quietly confident, though he highlighted his teammate Kyle Kirkwood as the standout contender. Kirkwood, behind the wheel of the No. 27 Siemens Honda, radiates confidence and has not held back in expressing his belief that Andretti Global is highly competitive, if not the best team on the track.
“I think we’re really good,” Kirkwood said.
Kirkwood further outlined the team’s efforts to refine their speed, particularly focusing on both qualifying pace and race day performance.
When asked about Newgarden’s recognition of him as a rival, Kirkwood simply replied, “He knows.”
Andretti Global’s recent surge suggests the team is intent on reclaiming its former dominance on the demanding 2.5-mile Indianapolis oval. Once a powerhouse in the mid-2010s with three wins out of four races between 2014-2017, Andretti Global has endured a challenging seven-year winless stretch at the Indy 500, with only one top-five finish and limited leadership laps to show in recent years. Herta’s breakthrough victory at the Nashville oval last September, which capped the season, marked a pivotal moment for both the driver and the team, signaling progress and validating their extensive development work.
Kirkwood’s performance at Nashville also demonstrated the rising speed across the Andretti garage. Earning the NTT P1 Award and leading the most laps, he amplified the team’s promise beyond just one driver.
Kirkwood said.
Not all Andretti drivers found smooth sailing early in the month. Marcus Ericsson faced difficulties during his first Indianapolis 500 start with Andretti in 2024, struggling through practice and crashing during laps, which cast doubt on his starting position. Beginning the race from the back, he was unfortunately caught up in an early accident. Despite these setbacks, Ericsson noticed significant improvements in his No. 28 Allegra Honda compared to the previous year.
Ericsson said.
Meanwhile, beyond the primary contenders, other competitors like Rinus VeeKay are quietly making their mark in the field. VeeKay’s early 2025 season results — including three top-10 finishes in five races and ranking 10th in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES points standings — showcase the resilience and adaptability that smaller teams, like Dale Coyne Racing, demand from their drivers. After joining Coyne Racing late last season, VeeKay’s performance has exceeded expectations, signaling his potential as a dark horse heading into the Indianapolis 500.
VeeKay said.
VeeKay’s proven Indy 500 speed — highlighted by top-seven qualifying every year and multiple laps led — adds to the anticipation around his continued rise.
Moreover, with his contract status pending, the buzz around VeeKay’s value in the driver market is growing.
he admitted.
Christian Rasmussen experienced a setback early in practice week when he spun exiting Turn 2, making light contact with the SAFER Barrier in his No. 21 ECR Splenda Chevrolet. The incident marked the first crash of the week but Rasmussen remained optimistic, viewing it as a learning opportunity.
Rasmussen explained.
He also admitted that tire wear factored into his mistake, running on Firestone Firehawk tires for over 30 laps—likely longer than a typical race stint.
Rasmussen said.
In technology advancements for both viewers and drivers, FOX Sports recently introduced the Driver’s Eye cameras, small devices embedded in the right side foam of drivers’ helmets. Colton Herta used the camera in last week’s Sonsio Grand Prix, though his 25th-place finish limited its visibility on broadcast. Herta highlighted the camera’s value beyond television, noting how it serves as a tool for drivers themselves to study competitors’ strategies and setups.
Herta said.
History looms large over this year’s race, with Josef Newgarden attempting a rare three-peat of Indianapolis 500 victories — a feat only attempted by five drivers previously, including legends Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose, Bill Vukovich, Al Unser, and Helio Castroneves. Despite none achieving three consecutive wins, Newgarden’s chances look strong given his recent performances and Team Penske’s continued dominance. Helio Castroneves, a four-time Indy 500 winner himself, praised Newgarden’s talent and competitiveness, warning other drivers to be wary.
“No question,” Castroneves said.
As the Indianapolis 500 draws near, Colton Herta stands as a beacon of determination and optimism within the ever-intensifying competition. While speed and experience mark the favorites, Herta’s belief in his equipment and his own capabilities fuel his confidence as he prepares to battle for one of motorsports’ most prestigious crowns. Whether he can overcome the seasoned veterans and dominant teams remains to be seen, but the passion and resilience Herta brings to the track guarantee an exciting contest that will captivate fans across the world.
