IndyCar star Pato O'Ward has the best Indy 500 starting position of his career leading into Sunday's race ... and he tells TMZ Sports he's ready to duke it out and take full advantage of his opportunity.
The 26-year-old Arrow McLaren driver has come REALLY close to winning the iconic event -- most recently finishing second after being passed on the last lap in 2024 -- but has never taken the checkered flag at the Brickyard.
O'Ward says he's not dwelling at all on last year's heartbreak going into this weekend .