Team Penske's Josef Newgarden clinched his second race victory of the 2019 season after being hustled by Alexander Rossi all the way to the chequered flag in the first of two races of the 'Dual In Detroit'.
Lightning and heavy rain conditions prevented the race from getting underway for over an hour which meant a change to a timed 75-minute race instead of the 70 laps.
In a race filled with numerous caution periods, Newgarden led Rossi away on the final one with 12 minutes on the clock and both pulled away from the chasing pack at a ferocious pace – almost a second a lap.
Rossi hounded the 2017 series champion through all his might, but couldn't overhaul the#2 Penske due to the track still being damp off the racing line; preventing an attempt at a pass. Newgarden also takes a 25 point lead in the championship after his victory.
Takuma Sato secured third place for the second time in a week after his recovery at the Indianapolis 500, Sato pushed his way through the field in the inclement conditions, especially with a stunning pass on Felix Rosenqvist into Turn 3 on the damp part of the track on slick tyres.
Chip Ganassi's Rosenqvist continues his search for a podium in IndyCar after equalling his best result from St.Peterburg in fourth, the Swede ran with the leading pack until the final caution period showing his #10 NTT Data car was performing well in the damp conditions.
Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay had to settle for fifth-place in the train of cars behind Sato and Rosenqvist, moving up one place from his starting position.
Indy 500 race winner, Simon Pagenaud moved forward quickly in the wet conditions early on from his 13th place starting position with Graham Rahal following behind in seventh.
Zach Veach picked up his best result of the season in eighth in the #26 Gainbridge-Honda ahead of James Hinchcliffe and Ed Carpenter Racing's Spencer Pigot – rounding out the top 10.
Scott Dixon caused one of the many caution periods in the race after colliding with the inside wall of Turn 6 and breaking the suspension on his #9 PNC Bank-Honda, sending him into the outside barrier. It was the Kiwi's first retirement in two years, the last coming at the 2017 Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Will Power also had issues after finishing in 18th due to an unsuccessful pitstop under caution for slick tyres due to a drying line, the front right wheel changer failed to get the tyre secure before the #12 Verizon-Chevrolet left the pit box. Power was then forced to travel back on three wheels as the tyre escaped on the exit of the pit lane.
Qualifying for the second race of the 'Dual in Detroit' will get underway at 10:45 am local time on Sunday.
