IndyCar’s first night race in multiple years served up the action, as fans filled the stands at World Wide Technology Raceway on Sunday night.
Festivities got off to an exciting start, with a large wall of flames filling the sky just behind the back stretch ahead of the green in order to put on a show for the gathered crowd.
David Malukas got the best start, and after a lengthy side by side battle with Will Power, took the early lead.
READ MORE: IndyCar Gateway – Full Race Results
Late in the race, Conor Daly had worked his way to the front of the field. The veteran had started in 15th, but was passing everyone in sight all through the night.
On lap 154, he put pressure on Pato O’Ward for multiple laps until he was finally able to take the top spot.
Daly was shuffled down the order due to an unfortunately timed late caution, however, which ruined his chances at earning his maiden IndyCar win.
The driver that benefitted the most was Kyle Kirkwood, who made his fuel last through to the end of the race and earned his first oval win of his career.
Not only was it Kirkwood’s first oval win, it was his first win on anything other than a street course. He now has three wins on the season and two in a row.
O’Ward crossed the line in second, and Christian Rasmussen earned his first ever IndyCar podium with a fantastic drive from 25th up to third.
Back and forth again
Multiple drivers found themselves bouncing backwards and forwards throughout the night, aided by multiple caution periods, exciting pit stops, and a high line that was working for the drivers.
Rasmussen passed the most drivers of any in the field, racking up 62 on track passes on his way to his first podium.
Scott Dixon finished fourth after starting 11th, and Santino Ferrucci rounded out the top five after starting down in 19th.
It looked like Dixon would take another fuel saving victory late in Sunday’s race, but eventually he had to join multiple others in taking a late splash of fuel with less than 15 laps remaining.
Conor Daly did not have to make a late stop, but he was not able to make up the positions lost to the untimely caution. He finished sixth.
Rinus VeeKay was seventh, and points leader Alex Palou finished eighth after completing a rare weekend where he was not a factor for the podium.
In total, there were 254 passes for position during the race, matching last year’s record at WWTR.
Dangers of close racing
The most dramatic moment of the night came just after the halfway point, when Louis Foster lost control late in the stint and spun down the front stretch.
As he crossed the track, the leader at the time Josef Newgarden had nowhere to go. His #2 Team Penske Chevy was pinched between Foster’s car and the inside pit wall, launching Newgarden into the air.
The two-time series champion flipped upside down, slid down the top of the pit wall, and came to rest on his Aeroscreen just two meters from the finish line.
The AMR safety crew was on scene in an instant, one of the medics launching over the pit wall on foot to attend to Newgarden. Both drivers walked away unhurt thanks to the safety of their cars.
Newgarden is the winningest driver at WWTR and was looking likely to earn a sixth victory on the short oval, but it was not to be.
Team Penske had a tough race all around, with Will Power also retiring after his front tire let go early in the race.
He drifted up into the wall and broke a toe link, which caused him to retire. He finished in last position after starting on pole.
Scott McLaughlin also retired late in the race, reporting trouble with his left rear suspension despite not making contact with anyone.
All three Team Penske drivers qualified in the top five, but none finished the race in what was a woeful showing.
Devlin DeFrancesco also found the wall early, and brought out the first yellow of the night, but he was able to return after his Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing crew fixed his car in the garage area.
Drivers and teams will regroup next weekend for a race at Road America, the longest road course on the calendar.
