Newgarden Triumphs Once Again at World Wide Technology Raceway
Josef Newgarden continues to assert his dominance at World Wide Technology Raceway, securing his fifth career victory at the track. In a race marked by chaos and tactical finesse, Newgarden showcased an unwavering resolve, particularly during two critical restarts where he fended off teammate Scott McLaughlin.
Decisive Moves and Close Calls
The turning point came during a late pit stop when Newgarden managed to take the lead. Despite a near disaster on Lap 196, where he almost spun out, Newgarden impressively kept the car off the wall, displaying his remarkable control and experience. This victory marks his fourth win in the past five years at this venue, re-establishing his stronghold after a crash last year with just 49 laps remaining had snapped his winning streak.
Team Penske had even more reasons to celebrate as their No. 2 cars swept the venue. Earlier in the year, Austin Cindric triumphed in the NASCAR Cup race, complementing Newgarden's latest IndyCar success. However, the race wasn’t without its challenges, including noticeably smaller crowds compared to the NASCAR event, with many empty seats in the main grandstand.
Power’s Rollercoaster Day
Will Power led the most laps in the race, showcasing early promise. However, his fortunes took a dramatic turn during a restart with nine laps to go when he collided with Alexander Rossi. This incident resulted in Power finishing a disappointing 18th, dropping him to fourth in the points standings. A last-lap wreck ended the race under caution, sealing a frustrating day for Power.
"I don't know why -- I do not know why -- he would just keep backing up and going, not going," Power remarked, expressing his exasperation over the chain of events during the race.
Unexpected Twists
Marcus Ericsson also experienced a series of ups and downs. He briefly held the lead for 13 laps but his race came undone after an extended stay in the pits on Lap 149 following an unexpected slowdown. "It just doesn't want to go our way," Ericsson lamented, adding, "We had the car and the speed to win that thing."
Adding to the unpredictability, Pato O'Ward retired after just 42 laps due to engine trouble. O'Ward, who had been the runner-up in four of the last five races at the venue, reflected on the turbulent season, saying, "It's been a year of ups and downs, and I think at this point we just want to be winning races. There's four to go, so there's plenty of points on the table."
Other Notable Incidents
The race saw several other dramatic moments, including both Juncos Hollinger Racing cars crashing on Lap 17. Conor Daly, replacing Augustin Canapino in the No. 78 car, also spun on the backstretch during his maiden race for the team.
Meanwhile, defending series champion Álex Palou managed to extend his points lead amid the race chaos, while Scott Dixon ended up two laps down following Newgarden's spin and finished out of sequence with the leaders.
A Look Ahead
The IndyCar series now turns its attention to the final road course race of the season, set for Sunday, August 25, in Portland, Oregon. It was on this track last year that Palou secured his second series championship, and he will be keen to exploit his current points lead further.
As the season nears its climax, all eyes will be on these talented drivers, each driven by the thrill of victory and the fear of defeat. With this latest win, Josef Newgarden has once again underlined his skill and tenacity, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying finish to the season.