Josef Newgarden Dominates at World Wide Technology Raceway
Josef Newgarden secured a memorable victory at the World Wide Technology Raceway, marking his fifth triumph at the venue. Despite almost spinning out on Lap 196, Newgarden kept his composure and his car off the wall, showcasing the resilience and skill that has become his trademark.
Leading for the first time following David Malukas's crash with 18 laps to go, Newgarden capitalized on a late pit stop to seize control of the race. In doing so, he held off teammate Scott McLaughlin during two crucial restarts, proving unbeatable on the day. This victory also signifies Newgarden’s fourth win at this track in the last five years, further cementing his dominance here.
“We had the car and the speed to win that thing," said Marcus Ericsson, who briefly led for 13 laps before his race was hindered by extra time spent in the pits following an unexpected slowdown on Lap 149. Ericsson’s frustrations were echoed by Will Power, who led the most laps in the race but collided with Alexander Rossi during a restart with nine laps remaining. “I don't know why -- I do not know why -- he would just keep backing up and going, not going,” lamented Power, who eventually finished 18th, subsequently dropping to fourth in the points standings.
The race wasn’t without its mishaps. Both Juncos Hollinger Racing cars sought misfortune, crashing on Lap 17. Elsewhere, Conor Daly spun on the backstretch during his first race in the No. 78 car, replacing Augustin Canapino. Instead of making a mark with his debut, Daly found himself among the many casualties of the high-attrition event.
Pato O'Ward, who had been a runner-up in four of the last five races at this venue, was another high-profile victim, retiring after only 42 laps due to engine trouble. Reflecting on the season, O'Ward remarked, "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, however, managed to steer clear of the chaos around him, extending his points lead. Scott Dixon faced a rare off-day; following Newgarden’s near-spin, Dixon found himself two laps down, ultimately unable to recover and finishing out of sequence with the leaders.
Fans who attended the race were treated to a gripping spectacle, even if there were noticeable empty seats in the grandstand, a contrast to the packed crowds of the earlier NASCAR event. Team Penske had reason to celebrate, as Newgarden’s win followed Austin Cindric's victory in the NASCAR Cup race earlier in the year, with the No. 2 car triumphing in both events.
The final drama of the race unfolded under a caution, triggered by a last-lap wreck, ensuring Newgarden’s position at the front remained unchallenged. Despite the thrills and spills of the day, Newgarden remained a figure of calm and precision, driving home the narrative of his enduring mastery at the World Wide Technology Raceway.
Marcus Ericsson summed up his mood succinctly, saying, "It just doesn't want to go our way." His sentiments highlighted the fickle nature of motorsports, where preparation and skill can be overshadowed by split-second events beyond a driver's control.
The series now sets its sights on Portland, Oregon, for the final road course race, where last year Alex Palou clinched his second series championship. As the championship battle heats up, drivers like Newgarden, Power, and O'Ward will look to solidify their standings and capitalize on the remaining races.