Best of Indy 500 Media Day Part 2: Compilation of the best quotes from Thursday afternoon
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">By Noah Poser</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 fast approaching, the drivers had another chance Thursday to share their thoughts ahead of Sunday’s race.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Speaking to the media in groups determined by their starting row, from the back of the grid to the front, the competitors shared their thoughts on everything from the trust they have in their fellow competitors, their backup cars, and their… painkillers?</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Here is the best from the afternoon session at Indy, with the morning highlights to be found <a href="https://kickinthetires.net/indycar/best-of-indy-500-media-day-part-1-compilation-of-the-best-quotes-from-thursday-morning/">here</a>.</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>On trusting those starting directly in front of and behind you</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Marcus Armstrong: </strong>“I think Helio is somewhere listening to me right now. He’s starting in the row ahead I’m pretty sure. I think he’s going to clear the way for me. That’s what he said anyway. Isn’t that right, Helio?”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Marcus Ericsson: </strong>“We’re right in the mix. I feel like at the start of these races, you have to be smart and make smart decisions. You can only lose the race in the first lap. You can’t win anything there. Just got to be smart out there and sort of get into the rhythm of the race.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“We still have a great chance from where we’re starting. We have plenty of time to move up through the field if we have a good race car. The biggest thing is being smart out there. I think (Armstrong and Christian Lundgaard) next to me are usually pretty smart out there, so I’m not worried about that.”</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lundgaard on solving ovals and cleaning up execution</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Lundgaard:</strong> “Well, survive, first of all. I mean, what am I going to try to figure out. Obviously road and street courses come more naturally. I think we’ve had some decent results. How we get there is what we need to get better at in many ways.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I think I’ve had so many good results on street courses or road courses where I didn’t really feel like I deserved them. Then I’ve had some where I feel like I deserved more. I think that’s the same as ovals. At the end of the day around here you have to be in the race, and then many things can happen. But for sure we do need to find some more speed, some more natural speed.”</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ed Carpenter and Helio Castroneves on remaining competitors after two decades</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Carpenter: </strong>“Helio’s ears don’t work well anymore. Mine are hanging on (laughter).</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Helio kind of answered it earlier when we were joking about our age. I think both of us feel really, really strong. We’re both active in our teams. Even though we don’t get behind the wheel as much, it doesn’t feel foreign. We’re both part owners in our team, active and engaged.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“When you step in the car, for me it actually gets a lot easier. I find these two weeks to be kind of like a vacation relative to the other 17 weekends. It’s still enjoyable. I still feel really confident and good behind the wheel. Yeah, I’m enjoying it.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Castroneves: </strong>“I’m sure, Ed, you felt the same way we did when we went out on the open test. The back straightaway, you start running, ‘Oh man, this is awesome (smiling).’</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Because of that you feel – not only feel, but you see the opportunity there is. I see the people in my group, the (Meyer Shank Racing) group, working on the No. 06 car. For the first time, we have some group continuation from last year, which is great. Everybody understands what they need to do. Mistakes we made last year we shouldn’t (repeat). It gives you more motivation and expectations and a desire to go out there.”</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Scott Dixon on being the all-time lap leader at the Indy 500</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Dixon:</strong> “Well, I guess the simple answer is this place doesn’t owe me anything. I think I’m very fortunate to get one (win). </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I think it shows I’m pretty crap at leading the right lap. No, it’s been a dream, all of it has. Hopefully it continues for some time. It’s one of those stats that is a stat. It sounds cool. But trust me, I’d rather have more wins.”</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Scott McLaughlin on if he feels pressure to respond after last year’s crash on Indy 500 pace laps</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>McLaughlin: </strong>“Not really. I mean, I’ve been saying all week, I feel like last year sucked and stunk, but it’s part of my journey. I feel like I’ve gotten years of experience in one (race). It was a tough thing. I never wish that upon my worst enemy, as I’ve said. It’s something that I’ve grown from, for sure. It put a lot of perspective in my life.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“No doubt I’ve come back stronger for it. I don’t think I’m driving any differently this year because of it. I’m just looking forward to getting back into the race, creating a new storyline and getting on with it. I’d love to go from zero to hero, of course, but at the same time, driving with emotion like that is probably a detriment. I just have to go out there, execute and see what I’ve got.”</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>This exchange between Pato O’Ward, Santino Ferrucci and Felix Rosenqvist on O’Ward’s backup car</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>O’Ward:</strong> I think I’ve had a test or something (on an oval). I don’t have any worries about it. I know it’s going to behave like it’s supposed to. Like I said, it’s a very good car. I really like this car. I don’t know why they actually removed it from me. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Ferrucci:</strong> I have a question for you. Does it have a name? You keep talking about “this car.” </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>O’Ward:</strong> It’s got a name. It’s a she. She’s got quite the résumé (smiling). I promise to share this. I think Felix might know what is.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Rosenqvist:</strong> I know. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>O’Ward:</strong> Don’t say it.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Rosenqvist:</strong> It’s going back to his ex, basically. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>O’Ward:</strong> It’s a bit of history there. I will share the name if I win on Sunday.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pato-O_Ward-and-Felix-Rosenqvist-Indianapolis-500-Practice-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m154491-1024x683.jpg" alt="Pato O Ward and Felix Rosenqvist Indianapolis 500 Practice By Joe Skibinski Ref Image Without Watermark m154491" class="wp-image-47989" title="Best of Indy 500 Media Day Part 2: Compilation of the best quotes from Thursday afternoon 1" srcset="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pato-O_Ward-and-Felix-Rosenqvist-Indianapolis-500-Practice-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m154491-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pato-O_Ward-and-Felix-Rosenqvist-Indianapolis-500-Practice-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m154491-300x200.jpg 300w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pato-O_Ward-and-Felix-Rosenqvist-Indianapolis-500-Practice-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m154491-768x512.jpg 768w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pato-O_Ward-and-Felix-Rosenqvist-Indianapolis-500-Practice-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m154491-150x100.jpg 150w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pato-O_Ward-and-Felix-Rosenqvist-Indianapolis-500-Practice-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m154491.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pato O’Ward and Feliz Rosenqvist share a chat during Monday’s practice. The friends and competitors will line up alongside one another on Row 2 for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Photo Credit- Penske Entertainment: Joe Skibinski</figcaption></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>This</em> exchange between reporters, Alexander Rossi and David Malukas</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Reporter:</strong> Alexander, can you share on a scale of 1 to 10 the level of pain you anticipate to be racing with? </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Rossi:</strong> If we do our jobs correctly, close to zero. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Reporter:</strong> No painkiller shot you have to worry about for the ankle? </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Rossi:</strong> I didn’t say that. I said if we do our jobs correctly, close to zero. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Malukas:</strong> He’s so funny (laughter).</p>
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