Scott Dixon in the No.9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda says it was definitely a wild, up and down day on Sunday.
The Iceman overcame a grid penalty to score his 5th career victory and his third in four races, it was also his first win at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Speaking following the action, Dixon said:
“It was definitely a wild day with a lot of ups and downs. To start the day with a failure in warmup and having to get a grid spot penalty was not great. But obviously with strategy and how tough the race was, we knew we still probably had a chance. We played it well coming to the pits, getting the right window for the last pit stop to make enough fuel. Big thank you to HPD to make sure we could get that done.”
Alex Palou in the No.10 Be The One American Legion Honda was officially crowned NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion on Sunday after finishing the race in third place and speaking following the race he said:
“This was an amazing race. We led a lot of laps and finished up third. The yellow didn’t help us, but we got our hands on the second ring. We have the Astor Cup now and we also won with the No. 9 car. I can’t wait to celebrate with the team. Thank you to all our partners, especially The American Legion. Now, I’m very much looking forward to the future.”
Marcus Armstrong in the No.11 Ridgeline Lubricants Honda celebrated signing a full-time contract with Chip Ganassi Racing by winning the Rookie of the Year title and speaking following the race he said:
“What a day. It’s been an eventful one. It was great, until it wasn’t, but it was still great. A lot happened and I think I made contact approximately 20 times. But, we came home with the Rookie of the Year title. I’m pretty happy about it considering we missed five races, the ovals. Now I have my first oval test on Wednesday, so let’s go.
In his final race with Chip Ganassi Racing, Marcus Ericsson who moves to Andretti Autosport next season finished in 15ht place and speaking following the action he said:
“It was a very messy race. The No. 8 Huski Ice Spritz Honda was feeling amazing all day. Unfortunately, I fell on my own mistake. I was trying to make an overtake and misjudged it. I spun, lost a lap, and from then on, it was just trying to get that lap back all day. I’m thankful, though, for the four years with Chip Ganassi Racing and the No. 8 crew. There were a lot of emotions. It’s not the finish we wanted, but congratulations to Scott on the win.”
It was the first time in Chip Ganassi Racing’s history that they claimed a 1-2 in the championship and the Rookie of the Year championship in the same year.
Chip Ganassi Racing claimed nine wins in 17 races.