The Gateway IndyCar race turned out to be anything but ordinary. What began as a predictable monotony quickly transformed into a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with intense rivalries, questionable decisions from the officials, and unexpected discoveries. It was a race that kept everyone on alert, and if you were watching, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
The Determination and Resilience of Josef Newgarden
Let's start with Josef Newgarden. The guy had every reason to be nervous when the rear of his car started having issues—especially after what happened last year when pushing too hard cost him dearly. But this time, he managed to keep his composure and came out with more than just his car intact. That incredible recovery? Allowing him to stay in contention despite the chaos that followed during the pit stops, where everything beyond eighth place was already a lap down.
You could say that the sprint finish was tailor-made for Newgarden, who has dominated the oval tracks in recent years. Despite the controversies surrounding Team Penske this year, including that disqualification scandal that shook the paddock, Newgarden's victory at Gateway was not without its drama. His slow restart at the end of the race led to a crash involving his teammate and championship rival, Will Power, creating tense moments. Power did not hesitate to show his frustration, but Newgarden stood by his actions, stating that his pace was within the rules.
Steady Hand of Alex Palou
Then there's Alex Palou. If there's one thing you can count on, it's his ability to stay calm under pressure. Palou navigated the race with the kind of calm that has become his trademark. He followed a smart strategy early on and showed impeccable judgment when he narrowly avoided being caught up in the crash between Power and Alexander Rossi.
Palou's lead in the standings only increased after this race, partly thanks to some smart plays at the end of the game. He didn’t push his teammate, Linus Lundqvist, too hard, and that decision paid off. While Ganassi did not issue team orders, Lundqvist passed Palou and Colton Herta, who ended up with a blocking penalty. This strategic move saw Palou finish in a strong position, further solidifying his championship lead.
Challenges for Palou's Rivals
On the other hand, Palou's rivals had a tough day. Herta, now Palou's closest competitor, lost ground, while Pato O'Ward's race ended early due to a cooling fluid pressure issue. Scott Dixon gambled on a strategy that didn’t pay off, leaving him two laps down and finishing in 11th. Power's crash was another blow to his title hopes, and Scott McLaughlin, despite finishing second, is still far behind to pose a serious threat. Kyle Kirkwood also saw his race cut short after a crash, despite starting in the top 10.
One thing that has become clear this season is that while Palou has been consistently strong, his rivals have stumbled over each other, stealing points and failing to capitalize on opportunities. Even when Palou experienced a dip in form after his crash in Iowa, no one managed to stand out and significantly close the gap. Now, with one of Palou's best tracks, Portland, coming up next, followed by two lesser-known circuits, the chances of his competitors catching up to him are dwindling.
The Unlucky: Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood
Finally, let’s talk about Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood. If there’s one thing that could have changed the outcome of this race, it might have been Ericsson's ability to save fuel. He was doing so well, even saving more than Dixon at times, that he could have avoided a late pit stop if things had gone differently. Unfortunately, an electrical issue dashed those hopes.
Kirkwood also had a day to forget, with his crash marking his worst result of the year. For Ericsson, especially, it has been a season where luck simply has not been on his side.
In the end, the Gateway race was a reminder of how unpredictable and thrilling IndyCar can be. No matter if you were rooting for the winners or sympathizing with those who lost, it’s clear that this race will be talked about for a while.
