Power Gets Crucial Win At Iowa As He Chases Palou For Championship

Source: Travis Hinkle/Penske Entertainment / other

NETWON, Iowa. — Team Penske is well known for their ability to deliver in the pits. That along with a massive fuel-saving strategy was able to give Will Power his 43rd career IndyCar Series win at Iowa on Sunday.

“I thought coming into this season I was going to win an oval this year,” Power said. “We are pushing hard, we saved a lot of fuel, and just a great win for our team.”

The winner from the first race of the weekend, Scott McLaughlin, started on the pole for the second race next to championship points leader Alex Palou. McLaughlin led was turned into mostly a parade of a race into the first round of pit stops some 90 laps into the event.

Palou’s Ganassi pit crew got him in and out in an overcut attempt of McLaughlin, but as that was playing out the race’s first caution came into play as Agustin Canapinio spun exiting the pits on cold tires. Palou was just able to get in and out for service as the yellow was issued.

It appeared the yellow left Will Power hanging out to dry, but Power was able to get in for service as well and took advantage of the situation and found himself in second place behind Palou by the time the green flag was waved again.

Palou led the parade of cars for the middle stint with Power and McLaughlin in tow.

As the final round of pit stops came around Power was given an opportunity to get ahead of Palou, who pitted first but had a rough exit of the pits again. Power came in a lap later with an overcut attempt and his crew had him in and out in a blistering 5.8-seconds. That was enough to allow Power to cycle out ahead of Palou.

Palou pressed as much as he could, but Power held on and took the checkered flag for the second time this season. There were also some fireworks on the final lap as Sting Ray Robb collided with a slowing Alexander Rossi which sent him airborne and upside down. Ed Carpenter and Kyle Kirkwood were caught up in it as well.

The victory for Power moves him to within 35-points of Palou in the championship standings. Power overtook O’Ward for second in the standings as Pato O’Ward finished 6th.

Pato O’Ward used the phrase “snooze fest” to describe the race. Scott Dixon, who finished fourth, called in “a shame” as the second lane of racing in the turns never really developed due to a repave for NASCAR’s race at the track.

The series heads back to the street circuit scene next week as they will head north to Toronto.

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