James Hinchcliffe has stormed to victory after a highly strategic Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, holding onto the lead during a caution-filled end to the 85-lap race.
The Canadian racer assumed the lead of the race after the final round of pit-stops, rejoining the action ahead of Ryan Hunter-Reay after staying out on track for one extra lap before making his final stop.
Four-time champion Scott Dixon led the early stages of the race after pole sitter Helio Castroneves suffered a torrid start, with the IndyCar veteran plummeting immediately down the order.
Although Dixon looked imperious in the lead during the early stages of the race, the Chip Ganassi racer committed to a three-stop strategy while eventual race winner Hinchcliffe remained on a two-stop strategy.
Sebastien Bourdais came home a very impressive second for Dale Coyne Racing, despite starting the race from way back in P12.
The Frenchman took full advantage of an early caution period following an incident between Charlie Kimball and Will Power to make an early pit-stop, similar to his strategy at the season-opener at St. Petersburg.
From then on Bourdais managed to slowly rise up through the order as the front runners were forced to make their stops under green flag conditions.
Josef Newgarden finished third for Penske, ending the race as the highest finishing Chevrolet-powered driver.
Throughout the race Newgarden ran consistently at the front of the order, and took advantage of several late retirements from Alexander Rossi and Ryan Hunter-Reay to rise up even further and cross the line just under a second behind Bourdais.
Dixon could only manage fourth for Chip Ganassi Racing, after finding himself unable to find a way back to the front after making his final stop.
Reigning champion Simon Pagenaud enjoyed a terrific race to come home fifth, despite starting from 21st and last after receiving a penalty during qualifying.
The Frenchman wasted no time in scything through the order during the early stages of the race, rising up to tenth by Lap 10.
Rookie Ed Jones was once again impressive, ending the race sixth ahead of Carlos Munoz and Spencer Pigot.
Pole man Castroneves failed to improve after his dreadful start, eventually coming home ninth ahead of Graham Rahal.
On the opening lap Power and Kimball came together at Turn 4. While Kimball was forced into retirement Power miraculously managed to continue and eventually ended the race P13.
Andretti Autosport suffered a race to forget, with all four drivers retiring with mechanical issues.
Marco Andretti was the first to retire on Lap 16, before both Takuma Sato, Rossi and Hunter-Reay retired during the latter stages of the race.
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