Newgarden Power 4 at Iowa Speedway

Iowa is his backyard. Already a triple winner on the small 1,4 kilometer track, Josef Newgarden (Team Penske / Chevrolet) added a 4th success to his credit at Iowa Speedway on Saturday. Master from start to finish after starting 2nd, he thus won his 4th victory this season and did very well in the championship. The American is just 15 points behind leader Marcus Ericsson.

Last man standing after a battle in the bullring.@josefnewgarden win the https://t.co/BbRkjds482 250.#INDYCAR // @Team_Penske pic.twitter.com/uor4I9Pswd

—NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) July 23, 2022

In the heat of Iowa (37°C in the air), Newgarden masterfully managed the third oval event of the season. Very quickly ahead of pole sitter Will Power, the double IndyCar champion managed to keep the lead even after multiple race restarts. The first interruption was caused by Jimmie Johnson. The ex-pilot of Nascar achieved the feat of spinning without touching the wall, before being very aggressive and offensive throughout the race. 

Full course yellow is out for this spin (and no contact!) by @jimmiejohnson.

LIVE WATCH: @NBC and @peacocktv#INDYCAR // #HyVeeDeals250 pic.twitter.com/HPT3LrNpmC

- NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) July 23, 2022

The first accident happened on lap 111 with the crash of Felix Rosenqvist (Arrow McLaren SP / Chevrolet), which hit the wall losing the rear. During the pit stops, the Swede indirectly trapped one of his future teammates at McLaren... Colton Herta, victim of a clutch problem and unable to leave his box. In the fight for the podium, the young American was forced to start again 6 laps behind.

"I can't do it! There's no clutch!"

Issues for @ColtonHerta in the pits.#INDYCAR // @INDYCAratIowa pic.twitter.com/ugxV3fSbtn

- NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) July 23, 2022

Best performance on oval for Grosjean

At the halfway mark, Newgarden was still under pressure from Ericsson. Although both drivers were very close to the limit, Ericsson made a mistake a few minutes later and fell to 9th place. Which benefits Romain Grosjean : very discreet during the race, the Frenchman gradually climbed to the edge of the top 5.

After the last interruption of the race caused by Ed Carpenter's accident, at the same place as Rosenqvist, McLaughlin, then 4th, saw his race spoiled by a loose wheel. The top 3, made up of Newgarden, O'Ward and Power, will no longer move. The three drivers, respectively 4th, 6th and 2nd in the championship before the start, took back valuable points from Marcus Ericsson, who only finished 8th.

For Romain Grosjean, who finished 7th, it was an excellent result at Iowa Speedway: the Andretti driver achieved his best career performance on an oval circuit. On the other hand, simon pagenaud experienced an ordeal race with his Meyer Shank Racing. The Frenchman, never in the game and in difficulty with his car, finished more than 6 laps behind the winner of the day.

The standings for Race 1 at Iowa Speedway: 

The IndyCar championship standings

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