Newgarden wins race 2 at Iowa

Frustrated at the end of the of course 1, Josef Newgarden dominated head and shoulders the second event of this doubleheader organized on the Iowa speedway. The first pole-sitter to win on the short oval, he only gave up the lead during his passes through the pitlane, but was never really worried.

Pato O' Ward, 3rd the day before and fast again during the night from Saturday to Sunday, was the only one who could follow his pace somewhat, but an error on the part of his team McLaren, who tried twice to fix his left rear wheel, sounded the death knell for his ambitions on the 172nd lap.

« It's a relief to finally be able to win this season, Newgarden responded. Yesterday, I was very disappointed to only finish fifth but this time we were not the victim of a neutralization which came at the wrong time ».

Having left one lap behind the day before after the long neutralization, the American nevertheless left his mark by coming back strongly to finish in 5th place. The double champion of the discipline was quick, like the whole of Team Penske, whose three cars finished in the leading quarter. Particularly unhappy in recent weeks, Will Power also saw his luck change by finishing second. “ It felt good, because I had the impression that even if I worked well, I wasn't getting results. » recognized the Australian during a press conference given shirtless in his ice bath!

As for simon pagenaud, starting – like the day before – from last position, he once again made a spectacular comeback to fourth place. “ We may have made a bad adjustment during our first pit stop, analyzed Poitevin. But I can only be satisfied with this weekend ».

Especially since on the line, Simon is ahead of Dixon, who started 18th, and who once again managed a good comeback. Third, Graham Rahal reached the podium for the second time this season after his second place at the Indy Grand Prix, at the end of a rather clear race despite two neutralizations caused by veterans Ed Carpenter (2th lap) and Ryan Hunter-Reay (115th).

Overall, Dixon is ahead of Pagenaud, Newgarden, O'Ward, and Power. Dominated by Chip Ganassi Racing since the start of the season with four victories in a row, Team Penske is coming back strong.