Ahead of the famed Indianapolis 500, Pato O'Ward reflects on his past disappointments and reveals his unwavering dream of conquering the iconic race.
In the serene stillness of night, Pato O'Ward's eyelids close, and his mind embarks on a captivating journey. Visions of the Indianapolis 500, the most prestigious race in IndyCar, dance before his eyes. For six days before the thrilling spectacle, O'Ward has lived and breathed the anticipation.
"Last night, that's all I'm dreaming of," O'Ward confided to Fox News Digital, his voice brimming with excitement. "I keep racing multiple Indy 500's in my head. It's crazy. You try and tone it down as much as you can, but this race…it's unlike anything else."
For any driver in Indianapolis, the Indy 500 holds an unparalleled significance. But for O'Ward, the emotional weight of this event runs deeper, casting a shadow over the past two years. Yet, amidst the memories of heartbreak, the 25-year-old Mexican driver radiates unyielding enthusiasm.
"I want to have a clean, good race. I want to freaking race, man," he proclaimed, laughter bubbling through his words. "I think sometimes it's so easy to get greedy, and you forget it's already such an opportunity to have the chance to race. It sucks when something goes wrong, if someone hits you, or you make a mistake. The opportunity to just be able to race, it's so special. That's what I want. I want a chance to finish the 200 laps, and honestly, I'm probably the last guy that needs a hype man. If anything, I need somebody to tone myself down."
O'Ward's starting position in eighth place, in the middle of row 3, provides him with an advantageous position. His Arrow McLaren teammates, Alexander Rossi and Kyle Larson, occupy fourth and fifth place, respectively. Team Penske dominates the front row, with Scott McLaughlin claiming pole position, followed by Will Power and Josef Newgarden.
Undeterred by the competition, O'Ward remains confident in his team's abilities. "I think the team put some very fast race cars together for all of us. My car didn't quite have the speed that Alex and Kyle had, but we're right there. It's all about positioning yourself and running the cleanest race you can, because anything can happen in the Indy 500. It's such a long race, you got to be there. The last stint is where everyone turns up, and well, it's a free-for-all."
O'Ward's burning desire for victory stems not only from personal ambition but also from a deep commitment to his team. "There's so much expectation from everybody involved," he explained. "And everyone puts expectation on themselves for this race. Expectations are a constant battle within yourself. No matter how high you want to set the bar for yourself, you need to realize what the reality is. For us, we've got a shot."
As the race unfolds, O'Ward acknowledges the inevitability of risk-taking. "You got to take risks, and that's inevitable. That will always be a part of it, and if you want that big reward, you're going to have to take it. You take it as they come."
In the twilight of the race, if O'Ward finds himself in the lead with laps dwindling, he is prepared to navigate the treacherous balance between calculated risk and unwavering determination. "Is six laps to go close enough to start taking risks? Well, I don't know. If it worked out last year, I would've said yes," O'Ward reflected.
The anticipation for the race has consumed O'Ward's thoughts, filling his dreams with visions of triumph. Yet, he remains cognizant of the unpredictable nature of the Indy 500. "In those dreams about the race, O'Ward said he has come out victorious over his competition. The feeling of winning, though, is something he knows he can't drum up in his head," he elaborated.
"If it happens Sunday, he can forever say he knows what it felt like to win the Indy 500. "I get goosebumps. Like, right now, when I told you I got goosebumps, I got goosebumps," O'Ward said, laughing. "You can't help it but not think about it, but you try not to because I don't know what it would feel like. It must be so much more than anything else that I've ever won."
Only the victors of the Indy 500 can truly grasp the profound emotions that accompany the triumph. For O'Ward, the realization of his dreams lies tantalizingly within reach, fueling an unyielding belief in himself and his team.
