To say that Josef Newgarden won this race does not encompass the magnitude of his accomplishment on this day. Starting from his number 2 position behind points leader Simon Pagenaud, Newgarden quickly captured the lead and stayed there for an incredible 282 laps of this 300 lap race…and in doing so set a new IndyCar record. So dominant was his performance that by lap 100, he had circled the track and passed every other car with the exception of Pagenaud.
In our previous IndyCar report (Kohler Grand Prix), we made note of Newgarden’s eighth place finish despite the injuries sustained in Texas. Here, we see something more. Is this man who has faced his mortality not a different person with a different perspective as a result that experience? What effect does such an event have on a driver’s tolerance for speed and willingness to push harder against the limits? Let’s keep this in the back of our minds for the remainder of the season.
Flames Astern
Ryan Hunter-Reay’s engine caught fire…creating a spectacular fireball effect…and bringing on an extended caution period between laps 109 and 127. Juan Pablo Montoya suffered a similar fate on lap 179 as smoke plumed from his engine began. That caution lasted until lap 187. The lengths of the cautions may be disturbing for some readers, but this is due to the size of the track – a mere 7/8ths of one mile. So while the time it takes to clear the cars/debris is the same, the number of laps is inflated.
The Top Five
- Josef Newgarden in the #21 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka / Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
- Will Power in the #12 Verizon / Team Penske Chevrolet
- Scott Dixon in the #9 Target / Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet
- Simon Pagenaud in the #22 Menards / Team Penske Chevrolet
- Mikhail Aleshin in the #7 SMP Racing / Schmidt Peterson Honda