For the first time since 2018, the NTT IndyCar series contested an event at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday afternoon.
The one-mile oval delivered an action-packed product, with continuous battles for position and uncertain outcomes throughout all 250 laps.
During the race there were 565 on-track passes, 323 of which were for position. Both statistics were records for IndyCar despite this being the 65th time the series has held an event on the historic track.
For comparison 2018’s race had 280 total passes, less than half of this weekend’s total.
“I’m telling you the number one factor is that we have sort of taught this field a lot of things,” explained Newgarden after winning the event.
“The tires are different. For whatever reason, they seemed to produce a little less dust and marbling, kind of both those things. It does happen.
“I’m telling you the number one factor is that more people explore the track now. It is not possible to keep all the lanes open unless people utilize them.
“You have more individuals now in this series that are open to kind of driving the car all over the place. The car is capable of doing that as well. You can run the second lane because of the grip and downforce level and not be super slow. This all kind of feeds on itself.”
The whole package
At some of IndyCar’s oval events, the second groove builds up with loose tire rubber and drivers are heavily penalized for venturing out into the marbles.
That did not happen this weekend, and the freedom for drivers to choose their line helped get runs on the competition. Combined with a prescribed downforce package that allowed cars to follow, fans were treated to a fun event.
The race-ability of the cars led to 18 different lead changes, including a final one with less than 10 laps remaining when Newgarden took over the top spot.
Christian Rasmussen had 61 on-track passes alone, coming from the back twice in order to fight at the front for most of the afternoon.
When asked what changes should be made for a potential return to Phoenix next season, drivers overwhelmingly stated that the current package is great as-is.
“Honestly, why would you change anything?” said Kyle Kirkwood after finishing second. “The racing was phenomenal. Yeah, I think coming back here, they don’t touch a single thing.”
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