Josef Newgarden saved his nostril clear regardless of an early flurry of cautions to take the 2022 Sonsio Grand Prix at Highway America.
The 31-year-old was made to work for the end result, as a Pato O’Ward‘s engine expired with eight laps remaining. That introduced out a late warning, and one other adopted quickly after, establishing a three-lap shootout to resolve the race.
Ultimately, there was no denying Newgarden, who crossed the road forward of Marcus Ericsson and Alexander Rossi. Romain Grosjean and Colton Herta rounded out the highest 5.
Rossi, who began from pole, dominated proceedings till the primary pit stops of the day. Though three cautions earlier than Lap 10 change the technique for some groups, the frontrunners stayed out till Lap 16.
Sadly for Rossi, Newgarden‘s cease was two seconds quicker, which opened the door for the Staff Penske driver to take the lead.
Newgarden by no means regarded again from there, taking the chequered flag and a bonus million {dollars} from Folks Prepared for profitable on all three IndyCar disciplines – oval, road and highway course – this season. He will get to maintain half that prize cash, with the opposite half going to charities of his selection.
Elsewhere, defending race winner and champion Alex Palou retired early on after making contact with teammate Ericsson.
The Swede dived down the within, and sadly for the Spaniard, he turned in too abruptly, leading to a broken front-left suspension.
The end result sees Newgarden transfer to 3rd within the total standings, 32 factors again of chief Ericsson and 5 factors again of Will Energy. O’Ward and Palou full the highest 5
