On June 15, Kyle Kirkwood secured a compelling IndyCar win at World Wide Technology Raceway, overtaking rivals in a pivotal restart. Meanwhile, Pato O’Ward, driving the #5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, finished second but expressed disappointment with how a late-race yellow flag impacted his chance at victory.
O’Ward had been a strong contender throughout the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 and looked poised to win until a restart caused by a caution from David Malukas impacted race order. Kirkwood, initially behind O’Ward’s teammate Nolan Siegel, managed to slip past during the restart, ultimately claiming the lead and the checkered flag. O’Ward questioned whether the timing of the yellow flag was fair, openly sharing his thoughts after the race in a conversation with Jack Harvey.
Reflecting on the incident, O’Ward remarked,
“No not poorly timed yellow today. You know, I hope it was an amazing show for all your fans. It’s fantastic to be racing back under the lights here again. And I was really happy with my car. Just not last a little bit of restart. I think good old Nolan was sleeping a little bit.”
—Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver
He added,
“And I think that you gave Kirkwood an opportunity and I was kind of stuck so yeah, I’d think it was a bit of a hiccup there, but all in all of a very good points day for for the Arrow Mclaren number 5 Chevy. And I just, I can’t, I would’ve locked up gotten that for a team. Chevy, you know, we’re still winning less, over here, but we’re going to keep pushing.”
—Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver
Overview of Pato O’Ward’s 2025 Season and Oval Track Performance
Known for his strong performances on oval circuits, Pato O’Ward’s second-place finish at WWT Raceway marked his fourth runner-up result at this venue. He has demonstrated consistency as well during the 2025 IndyCar season, claiming pole position at the Thermal Club Grand Prix on March 23, where he also finished second.
Additionally, O’Ward showed perseverance at the Detroit Grand Prix on June 1. After qualifying 18th, he improved his standing on race day to finish seventh, showcasing his ability to make progress even when starting from a challenging grid position.
Pato O’Ward Expresses Frustration Over Discovery of Illegal Modifications in Josef Newgarden’s 2024 Indy 500 Car
A controversy surrounding Team Penske’s 2024 Indianapolis 500 winning car surfaced recently, revealing that the vehicle was found to have illegal modifications. The issue came to light after similar illegal adjustments were confirmed in the 2025 Indy 500 cars, pushing the two Team Penske entries to the back of the grid during this year’s race.
Following the admission by Team Penske that the 2024 winning car also included these prohibited modifications, the IndyCar community was shaken. Pato O’Ward openly conveyed his frustration with the situation, emphasizing his desire to win on merit and fairness.
He said,
“I want to win outright, and we lost that race last year, but obviously it’s just frustrating that it wasn’t caught beforehand, I would say. It’s just not right, we are going to try to go out there and win it properly and with a legal car.”
—Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver
Though O’Ward has yet to claim an Indy 500 victory, he has finished second twice, underscoring his ongoing ambition to secure the prestigious title fairly.
Implications of the Race and Ongoing IndyCar Season
Kyle Kirkwood’s triumph at WWT Raceway adds momentum to his 2025 season, while Pato O’Ward’s close second and forthright comments highlight the competitive tension within IndyCar, especially regarding race restarts and regulatory fairness. O’Ward’s reflection on both race strategy missteps and off-track controversies illustrates the challenges drivers face beyond speed alone.
As the season progresses, these developments emphasize the critical nature of precision during key race moments and the ongoing demand for transparent enforcement of technical regulations. Fans and teams alike will closely watch upcoming races, where O’Ward and others will seek victories earned without question, further intensifying competition on and off the track.