The NTT IndyCar Series ran their race around the historic Road America over the weekend, and the result was a Team Penske domination of the podium.
There were a few early caution periods that neutralized the action, but then the rest of the race was run caution free and there was not any great variation in the pit stop strategies.
Once the first pit stops cycled through, it was obvious that Team Penske was going to fill a good portion of the front positions. As it turned out, they filled the podium completely.
READ MORE: IndyCar Road America – Full Race Results
Will Power was the one that was at the head of the trio, finally breaking his run of podiums without claiming a victory of his own.
The veteran’s last win came in 2022, and he has amassed an incredible 13 podiums since then without earning another. That streak was broken on Sunday with a statement win that boosted the veteran into the points lead.
Josef Newgarden crossed the line in second, just over three seconds behind his team-mate.
The recent Indy 500 winner was driving his backup chassis for the duration of the event following a spectacular crash in qualifying, but it was fully up to the task.
Newgarden blamed the strong overcut for not winning the race, but acknowledged that all team cars were very strong.
Scott McLaughlin rounded out the podium with his own strong drive, earning his second podium of the season and ensuring Team Penske earned the first team sweep of a podium since Sonoma 2017.
Alex Palou and Kyle Kirkwood finished fourth and fifth respectively, giving Honda their own results to be proud of on the weekend.
Unfortunately for the rookie pole sitter Linus Lundqvist, he was only able to stay in the point position for a solitary corner.
His Ganassi team-mate Marcus Armstrong got into the back of him on the exit of Turn 1, spinning both in front of the field. Colton Herta was also spun as he slowed down for the crash in front of him.
Armstrong was given a penalty for causing the incident, but all three drivers’ races were severely impacted before they even completed a lap.
Lundqvist made his way back up to 12th by the checkered flags, and Herta climbed all the way to sixth, but still wondered what could have been.
Newgarden was also involved in the melee, and was the one that got into Herta, but he was not given a penalty and was not any worse off for the incident.
Scott Dixon was looking like he would be able to be at the front of the field as well, but his team’s gamble to run a lengthy final stint did not pay off.
With no late cautions coming, Dixon had to pit for a splash of fuel with just a few laps remaining, and ended the day down in 21st.
Drivers and teams finally have a week to recover after having been at the track for the past five weeks straight. Then they will reconvene for a race at Laguna Seca June 23.
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