Josef Newgarden in the No.2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet had a scary moment while leading Sunday’s Bommarito Automotive Group at World Wide Technology Raceway.
While leading the race, Newgarden was overtaking back markers and came across Louis Foster who had hit the wall, Newgarden went over the back of Foster and ended upside down.
Speaking following the race he said:
Feel so bad for my PPG team and Chevrolet. Felt like we had the car to beat. Feel fortunate with all the safety processes that INDYCAR has and look forward to getting back on track next week in Road America.”
(Video courtesy of INDYCAR via YouTube.com)
Scott McLaughlin retired from the race with a mechanical issue and speaking following the action he said:
Something broke in the left rear. Lucky it happened in Turn 2. Coming down the straight, I felt like someone hit me, but the spotter said I was clear. Really bummed for everybody on the DEX Imaging Chevy. Very disappointed because we had a decent car and a good run going.”
Pole-sitter Will Power in the No.12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet also retired from the race with a right front tire failure.
“It was a right front tire failure. I felt it last night while we were running, we were pretty much flat through Turn 3 and 4 every lap. Unfortunate, I feel bad for everybody on the Verizon crew. We had a good car, sitting there saving fuel, trying to get a big number to make it a four stop. I know (David) Malukas was just taking off. I figured he just catch traffic and get to him and probably knock a stop off the race. Nothing was going to stop a tire failure, but that’s the way it is. We’ll go to the next one and see if we can get a win. We’re knocking on the door, but not today.”