IndyCar – Newgarden titled at Sonoma, Pagenaud winner

Josef Newgarden won his first title in IndyCar in his first year with Team Penske, taking second place. The 12-year-old driver of the #2 DW26-Chevrolet becomes the first American champion in the discipline since Ryan Hunter-Reay in 2012.

" It's incredible ! I have a hard time calling myself a champion, recognized the new champion. I wanted to pass Simon (Pagenaud), but the team told me to calm down and I listened to their advice. He deserved his victory today. »

He finished with a lead of 17 points over his teammate Simon Pagenaud who won the Sonoma GP (California) where the points were doubled for the second time in a row.

The Poitevin driver made the difference by trying a four-stop strategy against three for his opponents and resisted in his last stint against the American while he was on hard tires, particularly at the exit from the pits. The Frenchman signs his second victory of the season after Phoenix (Arizona) last April, his 11th in the discipline.

Will Power completes the 100% Penske podium, ahead of Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing), third in the Championship, 20 points behind the new champion. Helio Castroneves placed Team Penske's fourth car in the top five. Sebastian Bourdais (Dale Coyne Racing) took ninth place.

The Sonoma GP was very smooth since the marshals did not display a single yellow flag.

Discover the report of the IndyCar final at Sonoma in issue 2132 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.