Power winner in Portland, Pagenaud still in contention for the title

The penultimate round of the 2019 seasonIndyCar in Portland dedicated Will Power (Penske). The Australian signed his second victory this year, ahead of rookie Felix Rosenqvist (Chip Ganassi) and Alexander Red (Andretti)

Victory, however, seemed promised to Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi). The New Zealander had a major opportunity to move closer to another title, until the 52nd lap, when a battery failure forced him to pit. Arrived at 16th place, here he is who almost abandons his last chances of crown.

The fight for the general classification benefited Josef Newgarden (Penske). The championship leader finished fifth, and increases his lead over simon pagenaud (Penské). The Frenchman is no longer second, but third in the championship after the comeback of Alexander Rossi (second at 41 points). 

"I don't think the final (scheduled for Laguna Seca on September 22. Editor’s note) will be easy”, predicted Josef Newgarden. As for the Frenchman, his delay of 42 points does not seem to worry him too much.

“Scott Dixon made up for a 45-point deficit last year, recalls Poitevin. It’s still great to go to California with a title chance. I am determined. We had a very good race this Sunday despite all the problems at the start. » Indeed, Simon Pagenaud was sent spinning in the melee during the first braking, without major consequences:

Lap 1 got a little wild at @Portland_GP @ColtonHerta will bring up the field for the restart on @nbc #PortlandGP // #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/ntAxz1J4Sy

— NTT IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) September 1, 2019

“To go from 18th place in qualifying to seventh is a very good performance. Anything can happen with the double points rule at Laguna Seca », he points. 

IndyCar Portland 2019 rankings:

Find it in AUTO issue 2232hebdo, on sale Monday evening in digital version and Wednesday on newsstands, analysis of IndyCar in Portland.