Newgarden Triumphs Again at World Wide Technology Raceway
Josef Newgarden showcased his formidable prowess at World Wide Technology Raceway, capturing his fifth victory at the venue. The win underscores Newgarden's dominance at the track, marking his fourth win in the past five years.
It was a race laden with tension and pivotal moments, with Newgarden fending off his Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin in two crucial restarts. "We had the car and the speed to win that thing," remarked Marcus Ericsson, who briefly held the lead for 13 laps during the race. However, it was Newgarden who ultimately took control, seizing the lead during a late pit stop and holding firm despite the challenges thrown his way.
The race was not without its drama. On Lap 196, Newgarden nearly spun out but exhibited remarkable skill to keep the car off the wall, maintaining his lead and composure. This close call was a stark contrast to last year, when Newgarden's winning streak was snapped after a crash with 49 laps remaining.
The race ended under caution due to a last-lap wreck, but not before a series of incidents shuffled the standings. Will Power, who led the most laps, found his race unraveling after a collision with Alexander Rossi during a restart with nine laps to go. Frustrated, Power commented, "I don't know why -- I do not know why -- he would just keep backing up and going, not going." Power's woes saw him finish 18th and drop to fourth in the points standings.
The challenges extended beyond Power. Pato O'Ward, who had been runner-up in four of the last five races at the venue, retired after just 42 laps due to engine trouble. "It's been a year of ups and downs, and I think at this point we just want to be winning races," O'Ward reflected. "There's four to go, so there's plenty of points on the table."
Among the field's notable moments was David Malukas's crash with 18 laps to go, which brought out a caution and allowed Newgarden to lead for the first time. Marcus Ericsson also faced troubles, with his race ending after spending extra time in the pits on Lap 149 following an unexpected slowdown. "It just doesn't want to go our way," Ericsson lamented.
For Team Penske's No. 2 cars, the event at World Wide Technology Raceway was a sweeping success. Newgarden's victory synchronized with Austin Cindric's triumph in the NASCAR Cup race held earlier in the year. However, the crowd's energy didn’t match the fervor seen at the NASCAR event, with noticeable empty seats in the main grandstand.
Álex Palou, the defending series champion, managed to extend his points lead amidst the chaotic race. Scott Dixon, meanwhile, finished out of sequence with the leaders, ending two laps down following Newgarden's spin.
Final Road Course Race in Portland
As the series shifts focus to the final road course race set for Sunday, Aug. 25 in Portland, Oregon, the stakes couldn't be higher. Palou secured his second series championship on the Portland track last year, a venue that holds no shortage of thrilling memories for the drivers.
Conor Daly, in his first race replacing Augustin Canapino in the No. 78 car, had his own misfortune, spinning on the backstretch. Both Juncos Hollinger Racing cars also experienced disappointment, crashing on Lap 17.
As the season hurtles toward its climax, Newgarden's mastery at World Wide Technology Raceway is yet another testament to his racing acumen and resilience, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying end to the championship battle.