Indy 500 2013 Results: Reaction, Leaders and Post-Race Analysis

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

With another historic chapter in the books at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it was Tony Kanaan who was victorious Sunday in the 2013 Indy 500, beating second-place finisher and rookie Carlos Munoz under caution.

In one of the biggest races in auto sports, the Indy 500 lived up to the immense hype that surrounds the event each year and was one of the best battles hardcore and casual IndyCar fans alike can appreciate.

Motorsports insider Curt Cavin—a 26-year veteran at the Indianapolis Star—took to Twitter to express his feelings on the 2013 edition of the Indy 500:

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Twitter shared the video of the finish:

Kanaan followed up on Twitter on Monday expressing his excitement and thanking fans:

All stats and standings via IndyCar.com.

Full 2013 Indy 500 Results

The pre-race festivities were great as always, and coupled with the Boston marathon runners getting to finish their race on the track and San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh driving the pace car, the officials for IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway spared no expense to make this marquee race even more special:

The chaos didn’t take long to get started during the race on Sunday as J.R. Hildebrand crashed on Lap 4, bringing out the race’s first caution. The race remained relatively calm until Sebastian Saavedra wrecked his car on Lap 34, ending his day early as well.

Phillip B Wilson of the Indianapolis Star talked about Saavedra‘s incident:

The first half of the race was highlighted by some great action toward the front of the pack and throughout the field, and after starting the race on the pole, Ed Carpenter looked like a force to be reckoned with after the first 200 miles.

As the laps passed, though, Carpenter fell off the pace of the leaders.

During the middle portion of the race, the green-flag pit stops caused several quick lead changes, and the official IndyCar’s Twitter account shared that this year’s event beat the record for most lead changes:

Just when the race was looking like it would stay green for the final stretch, Graham Rahal wrecked with just six laps remaining to force a yellow flag and a late restart.

Kanaan made a late run around Ryan Hunter-Reay on the final restart to gain the lead, and after another yellow flag came out, it was the first-time winner who finally had the opportunity to taste victory lane.

NASCAR driver and former IndyCar sensation Danica Patrick weighed in on Kanaan’s victory:

Hunter-Reay came in third place, with Marco Andretti coming in fourth and Justin Wilson finishing fifth.

As for what kind of milk the winner would be drinking Sunday, ESPN’s Lindsay Czarniak had the inside scoop:

While Kanaan enjoyed the customary milk and champagne bath in victory lane, the sweetest taste he had all day had to be when his lips finally hit the famous brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

An ideal ending to a superb race.

2013 IndyCar Championship Standings

After another exciting Indianapolis 500, the momentum has already shifted to next week’s Chevrolet Indy Duals in Detroit. With two unique races scheduled for next Saturday and Sunday (June 1 and June 2), the racing world will barely have a chance to breathe.

The wild two weeks at Indianapolis made this an amazing experience for all hardcore and casual racing fans, but in IndyCar, there is no rest for the weary. It's on to the next.