Alex Palou (Chip Gagnassi) made a double move at the Road America Grand Prix on Sunday, which he won by taking advantage of the mechanical failure of Josef Newgarden (Penske) two laps from the finish, to take control of the championship on Saturday in Elkhart Lake (Wisconsin).
The 24-year-old Palou, who, along with Mexican Pato O’ Ward, American Colton Herta and Dutchman Rinus Veekay, embodies the younger generation ready to take power in IndyCar, claimed the second victory of his career after the one at the Alabama GP in the opening of the season.
Here is the Spaniard who flies out in the general, dislodging O’ Ward (Arrow McLaren) who finished 9th.
Starting in 5th position, he managed to move up three places, but could never really worry Newgarden, who solidly dominated the race and was promised victory.
But on lap 53, the American, winner of the championship in 2017 and 2019, suddenly had a mechanical problem and Palou overtook him, as did eighteen other competitors on the last two laps. Very frustrating for Newgarden who thought he would get his first victory of the season, after finishing 2nd in the second race of Detroit last weekend.
Colton Herta (Andretti) finished in 2nd place, ahead of Australian Will Power (3rd, Penske) and defending champion Scott Dixon of New Zealand (4th, Chip Grassi).
Great host of the race, the Frenchman Romain Grosjean (Dale Coyne) finished in 5th position, after great struggles won with Graham Rahal (11th, Rahal Letterman Lanigan) and Alexander Rossi (7th, Andretti).
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