INDIANAPOLIS ( Associated Press) — Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson scooped an unprecedented $3.1 million for his win Sunday, and Mexico’s Pato O’ward scooped $1 million for his second place.
Prize totals were announced Monday, the same day the annual victory celebration took place in downtown Indianapolis.
Ericsson, 41, who races for Chig Ganassi Racing, became the second Swede to win the race after Kenny Brack in 1999. Early in his career, Ericsson had Brack among his mentors.
Indy’s total prize pool was around $16.1 million, which surpassed the previous mark of $14.4 million set in 2008.
The Mexican O’Ward, driver of the Arrow McLaren SP team, took a check for one million dollars, the largest for a second place in almost a decade.
American Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup champion, received a $50,000 bonus because he was named the race’s rookie of the year despite having a late crash. Johnson made almost $208,000 in total.
The average pay for each pilot was $485,000.
“The Indianapolis 500 is the greatest race in the world, and these drivers give it their all for the opportunity to drink winner’s milk and kiss the famous Brick Yard,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Williams said in a statement. Penske.
“This year’s record prize pool reflects their tireless quest to make history and the world-class talent they put on display at every lap,” Penske said of the drivers.
Race organizers said an estimated crowd of more than 325,000 attended, making it the largest for a single single-day sporting event in the world since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The IndyCar Series returns to action next weekend in Detroit.
