A race with a hectic start on the first lap transitioned into an all-day battle between the Team Penske drivers, with Will Power coming out on top at the NTT IndyCar Series XPEL Grand Prix at Road America.
The Aussie’s No. 12 team made the call to stay out one more lap during the final pit stop window, leaping to the front from third place. He held off teammate Josef Newgarden in a blistering 10-lap dash to win for the first time in 34 races, snapping a streak that has followed him since the Detroit Grand Prix in 2022.
“I don’t know man, I felt good about today,” Power said in victory lane. “We had a very fast car, but I want to thank all the guys man. It was extra special. We tried so hard to get wins. Worked hard in the offseason, obviously last year was very stressful, had half a mind at home and half at the track and very difficult to perform at a high level.
“Just stoked. Verizon has been a big supporter of mine and happy to get that car bck in victory lane. And Chevy had great horsepower. I’m very happy.”
During the final pit stop exchange, all three Penske cars came in on successive laps. Scott McLaughlin, who was the early favorite to win, came in first. He was unable to cut into leader Newgarden’s gap. However, when Newgarden came in the next lap, Power throttled down and, after he exited the pits, maintained a one-second lead on the charging American. Newgarden was unable to catch the Verizon Chevrolet.
For Newgarden, he continued a trend of positive performances at Road America over his last three visits, adding a second runner-up result to a win he secured in 2022. However it wasn’t an easy day, as during the opening lap incident, he hit and spun Colton Herta, which race control deemed wasn’t penalty worthy. The early stretch of the race required the No. 2 driver to chase McLaughlin for first, who he finally caught and passed on lap 36, but then it was for not as Power cycled in front after the final stops.
“Today was a really good team day,” runner-up Newgarden said. “Really good, 1-2-3. We can’t be dissatisfied about that. Will did a great job too. Look, he deserved to win the race as well. He drove really well today. It was a great team day. I think we let that one go for sure. That’s what is hard about it.”
McLaughlin led 18 laps, the most in the field, but got beat on pit strategy. He earned his third podium of the year. Defending IndyCar champion Alex Palou…
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