Pato O’Ward came to the Indianapolis 500 for the first time in 2016: the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500.

That’s where he saw the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, a sellout crowd for the first time in the event’s history. This year, the race is expected to have over 300,000 fans in attendance and the largest single-day sporting event since the pandemic started in 2020.

Below, Pato discusses his history at the Indianapolis 500 since his first start in 2020, finishing sixth, in 2021 where he finished fourth, and his outlook on the race coming on Sunday, May 29 on NBC.

Question: In 2020, you started your first Indianapolis 500-Mile Race without fans, ended up winning rookie of the year and finishing sixth. What was that experience like? 

Pato O’Ward: “For me, it was like a different race because it was so empty. Honestly, it felt like a test day. That race was the fundamental base of what we have been able to accomplish up until now with the knowledge, the experience, ability to qualify, understanding how the call feels trimmed out, in traffic and everything else. It was the start of what we have created as a team, which makes every year more special because we keep building on that. It was really cool to win the Rookie of the Year award, but honestly, here in Indy, if you don’t win then your race is nothing.”

Q: In 2021, you come back with at least a fanbase here and you improve your position again by finishing fourth. What was different in 2021 than 2020 throughout the event?

PO: “Leading laps at the Indianapolis 500 was special. I remember looking up at the scoring pylon and thinking, ‘Man, I hope someone is taking a picture of that.’ It was really cool, leading the biggest race and coolest event in the world in terms of motor sports and that was really a nice moment. We continued to build on what we learned in 2020 and hope to do the same in 2022.

“We should have been top-three at the end of 2021. I tried to get a big run out of Turn 2 to attempt to get by Alex Palou, but I had a big moment and Simon Pagenaud got by us.”

Q: Looking at 2022, the grandstands are going to be nearly full. As a driver, how does that make you feel knowing how packed this event will be?

PO: “I’m so excited for that day because I’ve never been able to experience a 500 that’s packed. Even last year, I thought ‘Man, this is packed’ but this year will be even more so and that’s even cooler. It is something I’m really looking forward to, which is having all the fans here and doing a good race for them.

Q: What does the Indianapolis 500 mean to you, especially knowing that the fans are back in full capacity this year? 

PO: “This is the event that everyone wants to win. Ever since I was a kid, this is the event I wanted to win. It’s an event that has the coolest trophy and one that if you win, you get to put your face on it. This is THE race and if you want to be remembered, you have to win.”

Q: What is your outlook on race day for the 106th Indianapolis 500?

PO: “It’s a very long race, and you have to have a car that can race well in traffic. We will have to be patient and efficient, but not get too ahead of ourselves. It is such a really, really, really long race that we have to make sure we are there for the last 20 laps.”

Q: How have you felt about your car so far in race trim?

PO: “I’m really happy with it. By myself, it is really sketchy, but I feel like that’s how it has to be to have a car that’s good in traffic. You have to have a car that rotates behind people, but when you get out in clean air it adds a lot of pin-ness which makes things a bit hairy. That’s the only way of having a car that can win the race. You can’t control getting a yellow flag in your favor and get lucky in that sense. To have a shot at truly winning the race outright, you need a car that can ride in traffic well.”

Q: What’s the camaraderie like with yourself, Felix and Juan Pablo Montoya?

PO: “We get along so well and we joke around a lot. We all like a car that’s a bit different, which brings different approaches in how a car is set up. That is very helpful if one of us is struggling. It is really nice and I love this group of driver that I get to work with.”

Q: How do you think you would celebrate an Indianapolis 500 victory?

PO: “I don’t know. I can’t even imagine what it feels like, so it’s hard to answer that for if I am able to win it. I bet it will be unlike anything I have ever experienced and would expect it to be a once-in-a-lifetime moment. We have an opportunity every year that we do this, but who knows if this is the year that we do it. You will have to soak it all in, and I have said it before, but this place can be the most terrifying place on earth. But, no doubt, it has the potential to be the most-rewarding place on earth.”

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