Josef Newgarden wins IndyCar race in St. Louis

Josef Newgarden clinched victory in a thrilling 260-lap IndyCar race, overcoming a partial spin-out on Lap 196. The win marked a significant moment for Newgarden, whose previous winning streak ended last year due to a crash with just 49 laps remaining. Team Penske dominated the event, with Newgarden and his teammate Scott McLaughlin, the pole-sitter, battling primarily through their pit crews as they were the only drivers on the lead lap during the final stages. The race saw a notably smaller crowd, with many empty seats in the main grandstand, contrasting with the usual atmosphere of IndyCar events. Teammate Will Power criticized Newgarden for his inconsistent throttle control while navigating Turn 4 ahead of the restart. Following a red flag to clear the track, Newgarden managed to pull away and maintained his lead without facing any significant challenges. In a departure from last year’s race, which was heavily influenced by fuel strategy, this event hinged on the efficiency of the pit crews. O’Ward, who finished 26th, expressed a desire to secure more wins as the season approaches its conclusion, emphasizing the importance of accumulating points. Meanwhile, Marcus Ericsson, who had led for 13 laps, faced misfortune when he slowed unexpectedly and ultimately retired from the race after a pit stop mishap. The race concluded with Newgarden's impressive performance, while last year's champion, Alex Palou, watched from the sidelines as he had already secured his second series championship in three years.