In the final laps of the NTT IndyCar Series race from Texas Motor Speedway, the battle for the top spot came down to two drivers.
Even though numerous drivers were in the gaggle at the head of the field, Josef Newgarden and Pato O’Ward were the two that fought tooth and nail for the win as the checkered flag approached.
O’Ward was using his time to plan his attack, testing out different strategies to find what combination would get him over the finish line first when it mattered most.
Talking after the race, he described how he had figured out the formula that was working for him, and would likely have been able to squeak out the win if the late caution didn’t put a premature end to the racing.
“I had the timing right,” said O’Ward. “The lap before we crossed the line, my nose was slightly in front of his. There was no way it was going to finish in single file.
“Yeah, racing gods had other plans. I have to say to the guys it’s been a hell of a start to the year. I had a rocket. Like, I don’t think there’s another way to put it.
“I was really comfortable in the car. It was fun, I have to say. It’s got to be the best Texas race in the last four, five years. It was freaking awesome!”
Even though O’Ward was disappointed to not be able to win in front of his fans that filled the grandstands, he was accepting of the result.
More than anything, he was happy to be able to race so closely with other drivers and see that they all showed each other respect enough to do so safely.
“Really, really nice that I got to drive and race with guys that I have so much respect for: Alex [Palou], Josef [Newgarden]. You can push it to the limit, but you always give each other the room that you need. I think that’s what we gave the fans. That’s what they deserve.
“That’s how it has to be. There’s really no other way to do it. Going way too fast to mess around at those speeds. We’re going wheel-to-wheel like 226 miles an hour or something. It’s a little wiggle from somebody can be really big.
“So hats off to everybody. It’s pretty insane, I have to say. I don’t know how it looks. It must look cool, I’m assuming. It looks insane. But inside of the car, you’re going in, you see two guys there, then you’re just like keep it in. It’s commitment.”
Unfortunately for O’Ward, this is the second race out of two this season that he has very nearly had victory, and he still doesn’t have any trophies to his name.
He does leaves Texas as the new points leader though, and will look to carry that momentum into the race around the streets of Long Beach in two weeks’ time.
