Newgarden, Palou, RHR, & Malukas
About this episode
From Indy 500 grind and qualifying pressure to track-temperature strategy, the conversation bounces between race-week realities and plenty of banter. They talk about being the defending winner versus not, engine changes and Monday practice results, and how cooler conditions can make racing “too easy” while a hotter “sweet spot” moves the pack. Qualifying gets a format shake-up with one shot to reach the top 12, and they also debate Indy 500 career “completion” and favorite drives.
Hinch spends Media Day 2026 with Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and David Malukas before the 110th running of the Indy 500
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Indy 500 drive
"In your opinion, what was your best Indy 500 drive? Because I talk about this with Rossi, who obviously is not on the show today, but 2016, when he won, arguably his worst Indy 500 drive."
They’re talking about how well a driver did in the Indianapolis 500. A “best drive” means the race went really well—good speed, good decisions, and strong execution—while a “worst drive” means the opposite.
“Indy 500 drive” refers to a driver’s performance in the Indianapolis 500, including how they manage pace, traffic, and strategy over the race distance. When they say someone had a “best” or “worst” Indy 500 drive, they’re usually judging the quality of the race execution—qualifying position, race pace, and how well the car was handled in key moments.
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