AJ Foyt Racing's Benjamin Pedersen wins 2023 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year

INDIANAPOLIS — AJ Foyt Racing's Benjamin Pedersen is the Indianapolis 500's Rookie of the Year ... almost by default.

Although he did not finish the 107th running of the 500 Sunday, he was the last rookie standing as he crashed with less than five laps to go.

“It’s just unfortunate, I thought we had a very good chance of getting into the top 15,” Pedersen said Sunday after the crash. “But it was out of my control. I couldn’t have done anything different. So I just learned everything I could this race, being my first 500; it’s been a tremendous month."

Pedersen took home $215,300 as part of the record Indy 500 purse, including a $50,000 bonus for winning the award.

Newgarden on breakthrough 500 win:‘I was going to win or end up in the wall,

Doyel on Indy 500:Newgarden 'was here to win' despite chaos on track and in stands

RC Enerson of Abel Motorsports was the first rookie to bow out Sunday, as he exited at lap 75 when his car had mechanical issues. Rahal Letterman Lanigan driver Sting Ray Robb crashed at Lap 91 after a scuffle with Dreyer and Reinbold's Graham Rahal. Juncos Hollinger Racing's Agustin Canapino crashed around Lap 192, just a couple laps before Pedersen.

Pedersen was the best rookie qualifier by far, as he was the only one to make it into the Fast 12 — the No. 55 Chevrolet driver qualified 11th for the race. He was the only rookie in the top-25.

"It's been a very good month," Pedersen said. "It was really just a weird finish to how good the month has been, but it was out of my control, and head up for the next race."

In contrast, Canapino qualified at 26th, Enerson started 28th and Robb had to go through Last Chance Qualifying to qualify 31st.

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Chloe Peterson on Twitter at @chloepeterson67.