Simon Pagenaud, who started at the back of the field, rallied to win the first of two Iowa IndyCar 250s races on Friday night at Iowa Speedway.
The 36-year-old Frenchman had been unable to complete a qualifying attempt earlier Friday due to a lack of fuel pressure. However, his No. 22 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet was in order for the 250-lap event at the 0.875-mile track in Newton, Iowa.
Pagenaud posted his first victory of 2020 after he won three events and finished second in the IndyCar series last year.
“Wow, this place is tough,” Pagenaud said. “What a night. What a day for us. Amazing group effort from the whole Team Penske. We unloaded really well. Qualifying was disheartening, but these guys never give up, and that’s what this team is all about.
“I can’t believe it. I have to rewatch the race. How did I get there? I don’t know. The last 50 laps were lots of tension. When (Scott) Dixon is chasing you, you better hit your marks.”
New Zealand’s Dixon finished second, with Oliver Askew, Mexico’s Pato O’Ward and Josef Newgarden rounding out the top five. Conor Daly, who won the first pole of his IndyCar career, came in seventh place.
The second of the Iowa IndyCar 250s is set for Saturday, and Pagenaud will again start from the rear of the pack. Newgarden will be on the pole.
The Friday event was marred by a spectacular crash between Colton Herta and the Netherlands’ Rinus VeeKay on a lap-156 restart. Herta’s No. 88 Dallara-Honda went airborne for more than 30 feet before thudding back onto the track. Both drivers wound up unhurt.
“It happened so fast, I wasn’t really sure what was going on, but I’m happy to report, I’m fine,” Herta told NBCSN. “No injuries. I feel perfectly fine and fit to drive (in the Saturday race).”
VeeKay said on NBCSN, “It really sucks. We were having an amazing race. This could have been a podium or maybe even a win. Really a bummer. I know we have an amazing car to go for a podium or a win tomorrow. I’m really confident.”
–Field Level Media
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