Newgarden Triumphs Again at World Wide Technology Raceway
Newgarden Triumphs Again at World Wide Technology Raceway
Josef Newgarden showcased his dominance once more at the World Wide Technology Raceway, clinching his fifth victory at the venue in a race marked by dramatic moments and fierce competition. Fending off teammate Scott McLaughlin in two critical restarts, Newgarden took the lead during a late pit stop. This victory marks his fourth win in the last five years at this track.
Newgarden's drive was not without its challenges. On Lap 196, he nearly spun out but displayed remarkable control to keep the car off the wall. Reflecting on the race, he expressed pride in his team’s performance and resilience. Notably, Newgarden led for the first time following a crash by David Malukas with 18 laps remaining, which brought out a caution and proved to be pivotal.
Team Penske Dominance
Team Penske’s success was not confined to Newgarden alone. The No. 2 cars swept the venue, with Austin Cindric taking a triumph in the NASCAR Cup race earlier in the year. Despite these individual successes, the race saw smaller crowds compared to the NASCAR event, with empty seats noticeable in the main grandstand.
However, it was not a flawless day for Team Penske. Will Power, despite leading the most laps in the race, finished 18th after a collision with Alexander Rossi during a restart with nine laps remaining. Power’s disappointment was palpable as he grappled with the events that unfolded on the track, dropping to fourth in the points standings. “I don't know why -- I do not know why -- he would just keep backing up and going, not going,” he remarked.
Race Drama and Incidents
The race ended under caution due to a last-lap wreck, capping off a chaotic day. Marcus Ericsson, at one point, held the lead for 13 laps but saw his race unravel after spending extra time in the pits on Lap 149. "It just doesn't want to go our way," he lamented, capturing the frustration felt by many drivers that day.
Pato O'Ward, who had been a runner-up in four of the last five races at this venue, retired after just 42 laps due to engine trouble. Reflecting on his season, O'Ward shared, “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.”
Defending series champion Álex Palou managed to extend his points lead amid the race chaos, demonstrating his consistent performance throughout the season.
The Battle Continues
Scott Dixon’s race took a downward turn following Newgarden's near spin, finishing out of sequence with the leaders. Additionally, both Juncos Hollinger Racing cars crashed on Lap 17, adding to the day’s dramatic incidents. Conor Daly, in his first race replacing Augustin Canapino in the No. 78 car, also found trouble, spinning on the backstretch.
With the final road course race set for Sunday, Aug. 25, in Portland, Oregon, the competition is expected to heat up further. Last year at the Portland track, Palou secured his second series championship, and he will undoubtedly be looking to maintain his dominant form this season.
As teams and drivers regroup and strategize for the remaining races, the season's storyline continues to unfold, with Newgarden's recent triumph adding yet another compelling chapter.
