Indy 500 Notebook: Surprising Streaks, Records and More from Newgarden's Triumph

We came into Sunday’s 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 with a number of storylines. And we leave Indy probably with even more storylines.

Here’s some of the high (and where necessary, low) points:

Streaking at the Indy 500

Josef Newgarden’s win in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 had several notable marks:

• He’s the first American driver to win the Greatest Spectacle In Racing since Alexander Rossi did the trick in his rookie try in the 100th Running of the 500 in 2016.

• Chevrolet executives are obviously quite happy, as the Chevy-powered Newgarden snapped Honda’s dominance of winning the last three editions of the 500 and six of the previous 10 times. In addition, Honda won every episode of the 500 from 2004 through 2012.

• Newgarden’s winning margin of .0974 seconds was the fourth closest finish in 500 history.

• There were 52 lead changes, third-most in the race’s history.

• 14 different drivers led at least one lap, which is tied for second-most in the annals of the 500.

• By failing to repeat his win from last year, Ericsson extended a streak where there has not been a repeat winner of the Indianapolis 500 since Helio Castroneves won his first two Indy 500s in 2001 and 2002. Had Ericsson doubled-up, he would have won a bonus payout that has steadily increased over the last 21 years and is now up to $420,000.

• And last but not least, the three red flags that were thrown during the course of the race were a 500 record.

Thanks for the Memories, Tony

It’s never easy to say goodbye, but it’s even harder when it’s a gentleman and fan favorite like Tony Kanaan.

The Brazilian driver drove in his 22nd and final Indy 500 on Sunday, finishing 16th, saying it “it wasn’t the result that we wanted.”

While some may think it was a disappointing ending to an illustrious career at the Brickyard, including a win in the 2013 edition of the 500, Kanaan embraced his career at the world’s most famous race track.

“Grateful, relieved, happy, sad at the same time,” Kanaan said about his emotions now that his final race is over. “There are so many emotions right now. But one thing is for certain. I think I sat here three years ago and I said I'm not retiring because I don't want to race in an empty stand, and what they did for me today puts an end of me coming back here.

“Because of that experience right there, I don't think I will have it ever again. In a way, finishing 16th will take everybody's idea out, oh, you finished third, you should do it again. Kyle Larson is driving that car next year. Hopefully I will be around.”

Kanaan also made the 389th and last start of his storied 25-year IndyCar career. While he will continue racing stock cars in his native Brazil, he said he plans on having talks with Arrow McLaren, for whom he raced Sunday, to remain with the team perhaps as a consultant going forward.

“That was something that we're talking (about), that is a plan,” Kanaan said. “I kind of talked with team owner Zak Brown and Gavin Ward and I said, let's go through this first.

“I'm going to be in Detroit next week (for the next IndyCar race) so I'm not going to a beach to drink margaritas and you're never going to see me again. Yeah, the desire is there. I think there is a place in the team, so hopefully we'll talk and you guys won't get rid of me.”