Washington (AFP) – Hometown hero Josef Newgarden won a late battle with New Zealand’s Scott McLaughlin on Sunday to win the season-ending IndyCar Music City Grand Prix. Newgarden captured his 32nd career IndyCar victory, 10th on the all-time list, and stretched his seasons with at least one win to 11 in a row after 225 laps around the 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway oval.
“I’m just glad we got one without anything going wrong,” Newgarden said. “Just happy to celebrate this team. They deserve it. It’s rewarding for this team. Tough year, but good to get a win here at the end. It was great to be home.”
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Spain’s Alex Palou was second with McLaughlin edging Kyffin Simpson of the Cayman Islands for third. Palou, whose eight wins this season include the Indianapolis 500, clinched his fourth IndyCar season crown in five years earlier this month with two races remaining in the 17-event campaign.
“It has been an amazing season for us,” said Palou, whose 13 podium finishes this year match the third-most in any IndyCar season. Palou has 19 wins in 97 IndyCar starts.
Newgarden passed American Alexander Rossi for the lead on lap 147 and pitted with 40 laps remaining, returning to the track just behind Palou. McLaughlin and Newgarden passed the Spaniard to stand 1-2 with 24 laps remaining but McLaughlin nicked the outer wall with 20 laps remaining to bring out a caution flag. Newgarden led on a restart with 10 laps remaining until the finish.
“Bittersweet,” McLaughlin said. “I wish it could have been me but I turned a little late into one and just got my right rear into it. Nearly saved it and went up in the marbles.”
Mexico’s Pato O’Ward won the pole and led much of the way before crashing into the outer wall. “Front right tire failure,” O’Ward said. “It’s one of the worst feelings.” Australian Will Power briefly took the lead, but stalled his engine in the pits and returned to the track a lap down.
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