Josef Newgarden added another feather to his cap with a triumphant performance at the World Wide Technology Raceway, securing his fifth victory at the venue. Newgarden’s mastery of the track was evident as he successfully fended off Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin in two critical restarts, showcasing his adept skill and composure under pressure.
The pivotal moment came during a late pit stop when Newgarden seized the lead. Despite a near-catastrophic spin on Lap 196, he managed to keep his car off the wall, exemplifying his extraordinary control. This victory marks his fourth win at this track in the past five years, emphasizing his dominance on this oval.
Last year's race, where Newgarden crashed with 49 laps remaining, temporarily broke his winning streak at this venue. However, this year's victory signifies a strong comeback, reasserting his prowess.
Team Penske’s Strong Showing
Noteworthy is that Team Penske’s No. 2 cars swept the venue, with Austin Cindric’s triumph in the NASCAR Cup race earlier in the year complementing Newgarden’s victory. However, the race saw a smaller crowd compared to the NASCAR event, with noticeable empty seats in the main grandstand.
Will Power, another strong contender from Team Penske, led the most laps during the race. However, a collision with Alexander Rossi during a restart with nine laps to go derailed his efforts. Power finished a disappointing 18th, dropping to fourth in the points standings post-race. Reflecting on the incident, Power expressed frustration: "I don't know why -- I do not know why -- he would just keep backing up and going, not going."
End of Race Chaos
The race concluded under caution due to a last-lap wreck, adding to the drama of the evening. Newgarden took the lead for the first time following David Malukas's crash with 18 laps to go, which triggered a crucial caution.
Marcus Ericsson briefly led for 13 laps but was set back by additional time in the pits on Lap 149 following an unexpected slowdown. Ericsson, voicing his disappointment, stated, "It just doesn't want to go our way." He added, "We had the car and the speed to win that thing."
Pato O'Ward, who has been a consistent performer at the World Wide Technology Raceway, retired after just 42 laps due to engine trouble. O'Ward had been runner-up in four of the last five races at the venue. Reflecting on the season, he remarked, "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 was not without its fair share of incidents. Scott Dixon found himself two laps down following Newgarden's spin and finished out of sequence with the leaders. Both cars from Juncos Hollinger Racing crashed on Lap 17, while Conor Daly spun on the backstretch during his first race replacing Augustin Canapino in the No. 78 car.
Looking Forward
The chaotic race backdrop did not deter defending series champion Álex Palou from extending his points lead. The final road course race of the season is set for Sunday, Aug. 25, in Portland, Oregon, where Palou had previously secured his second series championship.
Amid the turbulent events, Newgarden’s exceptional talent shone through, adding another memorable chapter to his illustrious career at the World Wide Technology Raceway. With four races left in the season, the stakes continue to rise, promising more high-intensity racing and thrilling finishes.