Scott Dixon wins a tough race in Detroit, Pourchaire in the top 10

Like at Long Beach earlier in the year, Scott Dixon played his strategy perfectly, stopping in the pits for the final time shortly after the halfway point of the race. Taking advantage of the numerous neutralizations and his natural talent in exercising economy, the New Zealander finally won ahead of Marcus Ericsson and his teammate Marcus Armstrong, for the first time on a podium.

Involved in several incidents, including contact with Agustin Canapino (Juncos Hollinger) for which he received a three-position penalty, Theo Pourchaire (Arrow McLaren) finishes for the first time in the top 10 of a raceIndyCar. The Frenchman therefore adds the best result of his career to his best qualification, obtained this Saturday, with a seventh place.

The rain played spoilsport

Almost half of the event took place under neutralization regime, with a first yellow flag on the first lap. Théo Pourchaire caught Will Power (Penske), sending the Australian into a spin and involving several other cars including the McLarens of Pato O'Ward and Alexander Rossi. Incredibly, these four cars managed to finish in the top 10! A third of the way through the event, it was the rain that redistributed the cards.

A very short downpour, enough to see Scott McLaughlin (Penske) hit a wall of tires, and a good part of the peloton returned to put on rain tires. The yellow flag following the New Zealander's exit was, however, so long that the rain had time to stop, and the track could begin to dry! The advantage was therefore given to the drivers who remained on slick tires, with the rest of the peloton stopping once again. It was at this moment that a series of neutralizations began during each restart, with Will Power, for example, hitting Rinus VeeKay (McLaren) on the 41st lap of the 100 to go.

Five laps later, the race was restarted and that's when pole sitter Colton Herta (Andretti) lost everything. Returning to the peloton after being trapped by the rain, the American attempted a daring maneuver and also found himself in a wall of tires, after narrowly avoiding Tristan Vautier (Coyne). The Frenchman was spoiled for his return, with changing conditions and a very complex track! Third at the last restart, less than thirty laps from the finish, he had to stop to refuel in the last laps, ultimately finishing 18th.

A day to forget for Romain Grosjean

For the third Frenchman involved, Romain Grosjean, a top 10 was within his reach. Pilot Juncos Hollinger was in fact one of the few who did not stop when the downpour arrived. Unfortunately, he was hit at the restart of the 53rd lap by Christian Lundgaard (Rahal Letterman Lanigan), who arrived completely out of control. The number 77 is finally in 23rd place, after having had to repair its left-rear suspension.

Christian Rasmussen (Carpenter) was the first driver forced to retire, after an engine failure on the 26th lap. Josef Newgarden (Penske) joined him at the very end of the race after contact with the wall. It ended a nightmare race for the winner of the Indianapolis 500. IndyCar continues its season next week, on the legendary Road America track!

IndyCar – Detroit Grand Prix

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