The 2026 Indianapolis 500 was historic, and not only in that way that every Indy 500 is historic – though they all are. But this was different. This was Felix Rosenqvist catching David Malukas less than three-hundredths of a second from the finish line at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and winning the jewel of the 2026 IndyCar season.
And breaking Malukas’ heart in the process.
It was the closest finish in Indy 500 history – winning by the nose of a four-wheel rocket, at 220 mph? – and it was crushing to Malukas to be that close. THAT close. And not win.
So, while Rosenqvist deserves all the attention he received Sunday at IMS, I devoted my column to Malukas. His grief was palpable, and heartbreaking. I wrote it.
And then members of my IndyStar text group – join us at the link below any of my online columns; it’s free and I won’t text you more than a few times a week – had their say. Let’s do the Mailbagg.
Doyel: David Malukas’ agony of defeat was heartbreaking after Indy 500
2026 Indy 500: Felix Rosenqvist breaks David Malukas’ heart
From: Bill B.
My wife and went to Sunday Mass after watching the 500. Then we went to Chipotle’s for dinner, and your text message with your most recent article came in and my wife wanted me to read it to her.
I had a very difficult time reading it between my tears and my wife’s tears. Not only was it the best column you’ve ever written, but maybe the most moving article you’ve ever written.
Now you’re making me emotional Bill! Hugs for you and Missus B.
From: Terry W.
What a great race – 70 lead changes. So many stories. That was sad for Malukas, but he has certainly gained some fans.
Including me, Terry. I’m riding shotgun for David Malukas.
From: Charlie L.
You caught that incredible race perfectly!
I wouldn’t say perfectly, Charlie. But thank you!
From: Brian W.
You captured the agony very well! We were 100 miles away watching the Fox broadcast and the emotion coming through live on the screen could not be reenacted no matter how hard someone tried.
I captured it “very well”? What happened to “perfectly”?
From: Bill S.
What a great race. And what a great line that still has me laughing: “Alexander Rossi collapses against the wall, alone with that snarky brain of his.”
Tee hee. Thanks Bill.
Doyel on 2021 Memorial Day: IU track’s heroic ‘Mongo Miler,’ Murlyn Wilson, was KIA at WWII
Rest of the story in 2025: Eighty years later, Mongo Miler’s family learns how he really died
Another day, another Caitlin Clark headline
The Caitlin Clark conspiracy theorists don’t believe the Indiana Fever, don’t believe me, don’t even believe Caitlin Clark when all of us, in our own way, try to explain what happened when Clark was a late scratch for the Fever’s game last week against the Portland Fire.
Sometimes the most obvious answer is the correct answer – that theory is called Occam’s Razor – but we can’t even agree on what’s the most obvious answer here. Was Clark a late scratch because, obviously, she didn’t decide until about 90 minutes before tipoff that she felt confident enough in her sore back to play? Or was she a late scratch because, OBVIOUSLY, the Fever was hiding the truth as long as possible, to sell as many tickets as possible, before announcing what the team had known all day if not longer:
Caitlin Clark wasn’t playing that night.
Who knows? Seriously.
Who.
Knows.
But I know this: Clark’s stardom, the irrational fanaticism around her, has become too much for the Fever to manage. Which is what I wrote in my explanation of what happened before that Fire game – and what keeps happening, every time Caitlin Clark makes headlines. Which is constantly.
Doyel: Indiana Fever try to manage Caitlin Clark situations, make them worse
From: Rick G.
Love your work, but disagree with your assessment of fans (I believe you called them bozos) who thought the Fever delayed announcing Caitlin’s status because they wanted to sell tickets. Count me among them. And let me ask you: For how many games last year was Caitlin ‘day-to-day’? How many tickets do you think they sold people who made plans to come a long distance to see her?
She was injured a lot last year, true, and her status was unclear a lot last year, true. And the Fever sold a LOT of tickets in the meantime, true.
But I think Clark gave us a glimpse inside the ropes last week when she said she decided not to play because she wasn’t “confident” in her health. Don’t focus on the word “health.” Focus on the word “confident,” and all that it implies.
From: Al J.
Any insider info on Caitlin Clark being benched for the spat with the coaches, or was she really injured?
I addressed this conspiracy theory thoroughly in the column. I should be in the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest, I dunked this one so hard.
From: Jim G.
Gregg, do you have any reason to think Caitlin Clark would want to leave Indy as a free agent? I assume that we offer her the max salary. Admittedly, I’m one of those fans who watch only because of CC. I get the chaos, and you’re right, the Fever don’t look good in handling it. But it would be a crime to let her leave.
The Fever won’t “let” her leave. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep her, financially, but at a certain point a player becomes an unrestricted free agent and gets to decide where they want to be. Does Caitlin want to be here? As you asked, do I have any reason to think she’d want to leave?
I don’t have any reason to think that, no. But only Clark knows where she wants to be, and why. And we’ll find out whenever she signs her next contract.
But if the league moves some other WNBA franchise (not the Fever) to Iowa, as folks there have clamored, all bets are off.
End Indianapolis 500 local TV blackout
Speaking of things we can’t agree on…
The Indianapolis 500 local TV blackout is a topic that should unite Central Indiana – the only place in the WORLD where you can’t watch the race live, unless the region rises up and sells out the single-biggest one-day sporting event in the world.
And yet.
Doyel: Indianapolis 500 sells out again, so how about no TV blackout in 2027?
From: Simon M.
That system has worked for years. Why jeopardize a sellout by promising no blackout. This is not a public utility.
Unless you work for Roger Penske, why wouldn’t you want to at least SEE what would happen in 2027 if the threat of a blackout was removed? We’ve sold out Indianapolis Motor Speedway two years in a row. This area has earned the right to put the race on live TV.
As for your final sentence? Incorrect, sir! IMS asked the state to authorize $100 million in bonds in 2013, and Gov. Mike Pence approved the deal.
From: Mark T.
Are you suggesting ending the blackout forever, or just in 2027?
A one-year tryout. Let’s see how many tickets IMS sells next year without the stick of a blackout. Give this area the carrot, as I wrote. Seems fair.
From: Matt G.
I kind of liked the blackout growing up. It was nice to sit outside with the radio on and listen to the call during the race. Then you followed it up by watching the replay that night on WRTV.
You can still do that, even if the race is on live TV. Just don’t watch it live, sit outside with the radio on – then follow it up by watching the replay.
Hope you’re not advocating for a blackout, preventing everyone within 75 miles of IMS from being able to watch the race live, simply because you lack the strength to turn off your TV.
From: Bill B.
I lived in Indy from 1973-2017. During that time, I never went to the 500. I never had the desire to do so. I absolutely loved listening to the radio broadcast. The radio let my imagination take over while I planted flowers, tended my garden, painted my deck, drank a beer. It was just so enjoyable! I moved to St. Louis in 2017 to be close to grandkids and son. No blackout. I can watch it if I want, but I don’t. I still listen.
And that’s awesome. If it works for you, that’s great.
From: Steve K.
I just want to know where are the big thinkers. Why not put a roof over the track and not the infield? Then they wouldn’t have to be concerned with rain issues. Has it ever been discussed?
Can’t imagine the cost of THAT, Steve.
From: Steve K.
Just partner up some of those guys with mega bucks. Maybe Elon (Musk) could do it, then figure out a way to build a Tesla racecar.
Mars will have a McDonald’s before the 2½-mile track at IMS has a roof.
Not printing these
From: Jeff H.
The Green Bay seats are $460 apiece for the very upper row in the end zone. That doesn’t include fees. What do you think?
I don’t know, Jeff – sounds expensive. Which game? I’m touched that you’d invite me, so tell me which Packers game and I’ll see if the Indianapolis Colts are off that day. Hang on, another text is coming in…
From: Jeff H.
Sorry wrong person!
Figures.
More: Join the text conversation with sports columnist Gregg Doyel for insights, reader questions and Doyel’s peeks behind the curtain.
Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at www.facebook.com/greggdoyelstar. Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Doyel: After David Malukas’ Indy 500 heartbreak, readers ask: Will Caitlin Clark break theirs?
Reporting by Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
