Bad luck, a mistake and a Swede victory at Indy

The Indianapolis 500 was run for the 106th time on May 29. Mark Glover attended for the 58^th time.  Here's his take on a memorable race:

Over more than a century of Indianapolis 500s, numerous pre-race favorites have taken the stage and claimed what the "experts" predicted would be theirs. But many times, victory has been determined by two important variables: bad luck and a crucial mistake.

That was the case at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last Sunday.

The old track can prompt joy and heartbreak in equal doses.  That also was evident in the 106th running of the world-famous race.

The race started with 25-year-old Spaniard Alex Palou and 41-year-old Australian Scott Dixon seemingly toying with the field.  They took turns leading, almost like they were rehearsing for a late-race duel to the checkered flag.

Then, bad luck struck.

Palou was sailing along on lap 68 when a crash brought out the caution flag, which closed the pits.  Problem was, Palou was running on fumes and had to pit for a splash of fuel. That resulted in a penalty, sending him to the rear of the field.

That left Dixon to dominate, which he did. Even when he was passed by a pretender, he usually made easy work of them within a couple laps.

And then, the unthinkable.

With less than 25 laps to go, Dixon aimed for the pits for what was likely to be his last pit stop. Even as I watched him speed toward the pit entrance, I suddenly blurted out, "I think he came in hot."  He had, exceeding the 60 mph pit lane speed limit and taking a gut-punch penalty that saw him finish 21st.

Of all the drivers in the race, Dixon was the last one you'd expect to make such a mistake. Six-time IndyCar series champion, five-time Indy 500 pole winner, all-time leader in laps led at Indy and the ultimate cool-under-fire pro.  And yet, there it was.  It was an error that probably will be replayed for the next 50 years, a crusher that will live long in Indy lore.

Given that, some claimed that Marcus Ericsson, the talented 31-year-old Swede, was lucky to win the race.

Not a chance.  His win was straight out of the "How To Win Indy" playbook.  Ericsson ran near the front all day, knowing that you have to be in good position late to have a chance.  And as for having a chance, anything can happen at Indy in those last 50 laps.  Or last 20 laps.  Or the final 10.

On top of that, Ericsson masterfully held off a field of go-for-it chargers in the two-lap shootout that ended the race.  During Monday's victory banquet in Indianapolis, nobody was calling Ericsson lucky.  They were congratulating him on a gutsy, fast, first-rate drive.  Which it was.

How Swede it is!  You better believe it.

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace.