Josef Newgarden Secures Fifth Victory at World Wide Technology Raceway
In a riveting display of skill and resilience, Josef Newgarden clinched his fifth victory at the World Wide Technology Raceway, further solidifying his dominance at the venue. Newgarden's triumph was not without its challenges, as he masterfully fended off his teammate Scott McLaughlin during two critical restarts and showcased exceptional poise under pressure.
The turning point of the race came during a late pit stop, where Newgarden seized the lead, a position he deftly maintained amidst the chaos that ensued. The race saw Newgarden almost spin out on Lap 196, a heart-stopping moment that had spectators on the edge of their seats. He managed to control the car and keep it off the wall, showcasing his expertise and cool-headedness.
This latest victory marks Newgarden's fourth win at the World Wide Technology Raceway in the past five years. The memory of last year’s crash, which ended his winning streak with 49 laps remaining, seemed like a distant past as he celebrated this hard-fought victory. Newgarden and Team Penske’s No. 2 car have set a precedent at this track, with Austin Cindric also securing a victory in the NASCAR Cup race earlier in the year.
The excitement of Newgarden's win was tempered by the noticeable empty seats in the grandstands, a stark contrast to the larger crowds seen at the NASCAR event. Nevertheless, the race provided thrilling moments, particularly for fans of Team Penske.
Highlighting the competitive spirit, Will Power led the most laps in the race but faced setbacks. A collision with Alexander Rossi during a restart with nine laps to go saw Power finish 18th, an outcome that dropped him 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,” Power expressed his frustration post-race, highlighting the unpredictability and tension of high-stakes racing.
The race concluded under caution due to a last-lap wreck, adding a dramatic end to an already electrifying event. Newgarden first took the lead following David Malukas’s crash with 18 laps to go, which brought out a caution and reshuffled the field’s dynamics. Marcus Ericsson briefly held the lead for 13 laps but spent extra time in the pits on Lap 149 following an unexpected slowdown, which effectively ended his contest for the top spot. "It just doesn't want to go our way," lamented Ericsson. “We had the car and the speed to win that thing,” he added, underscoring the fine margins that often decide races.
Pato O’Ward's race was cut short due to engine troubles, retiring after just 42 laps. O'Ward, who had been runner-up in four of the last five races at the venue, could only reflect on what could have been. “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,” O'Ward remarked, already setting his sights on upcoming opportunities.
Defending series champion Álex Palou managed to extend his points lead amid the race’s chaos, while Scott Dixon found himself two laps down following Newgarden’s near-spin and finished out of sequence with the leaders. The incident-dense race saw both Juncos Hollinger Racing cars crash on Lap 17, and Conor Daly spun on the backstretch in his first race replacing Augustin Canapino in the No. 78 car.
As thoughts began shifting towards the next challenge, the final road course race scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 25, in Portland, Oregon, loomed large. Last year, Palou secured his second series championship on the Portland track, a feat his competitors will surely keep in mind as they prepare for another intense showdown.