Penske driver Josef Newgarden claimed his second IndyCar victory in Toronto with a controlled performance, finishing ahead of Andretti’s Alexander Rossi.
Having previously won the Canadian race back in 2015, Newgarden has a good track record and was quick throughout the race, and benefitted from a well-timed caution to take the lead.
He pitted just one lap before the caution came out, with Rossi and home favourite James Hinchcliffe – who finished third on home soil – also pulling off similar strategies.
The yellow was for Tony Kanaan, who locked up his Chip Ganassi car and crashed into the barrier at Turn 1 around a quarter of the way through the race.
Newgarden’s team-mate Helio Castroneves was leading at the time after a strong opening lap, but his grip on the race loosened when he had to pit under yellow and dropped back.
Taking over the lead, Newgarden was able to keep a consistent gap to those chasing him for the remainder of the race, and finished 1.8 seconds clear of Rossi.
Hinchcliffe was third at his home event, while Marco Andretti showed improved form in fourth, ahead of reigning champion Simon Pagenaud and Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Former F1 driver Max Chilton sustained a late challenge from Castroneves to secure seventh, with Graham Rahal ninth and championship leader Scott Dixon in 10th.
He recovered from a collision with Penske’s Will Power on the opening lap, which required Dixon to pit for repairs (before he was then awarded a drive-through) and fall to the back of the pack.
Dixon retains his title advantage over Castroneves, but the gap has been cut to just three points.
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