The picturesque and challenging Road America circuit delivered another dose of thrilling, unpredictable action in the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series season. In a race that swung dramatically in its closing moments, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Álex Palou capitalized on an unforeseen twist of fate for rival Josef Newgarden, securing his second victory of the season. What began as a seemingly dominant performance by Newgarden quickly devolved into yet another heartbreaking late-race mechanical failure, allowing Palou to seize a crucial win and significantly reshape the championship landscape.
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For much of the afternoon, Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden appeared destined for victory, showcasing the kind of commanding pace that has long defined his career. His performance echoed his near-flawless drive during the second race in Detroit just a week prior, where mechanical issues also snatched a win from his grasp. At Road America, Newgarden led an astounding 32 out of 55 laps, a testament to his car’s speed and his expert handling. He masterfully navigated the 4.014-mile road course, fending off sustained pressure from Palou through the crucial final stint. After the last round of pit stops, Newgarden had successfully jumped ahead of the Ganassi driver, establishing a seemingly unassailable lead and controlling the race from the front.
The race had been punctuated by several full-course cautions, each injecting a fresh layer of strategic complexity. With just four laps remaining, the complexion of the race seemed to solidify in Newgarden’s favor. A spin by Ed Jones brought out the fourth full-course caution of the day, effectively neutralizing any fuel saving concerns for the Penske driver. This late yellow flag allowed Newgarden to push his car to its absolute limits without worrying about conserving fuel for the sprint to the finish, seemingly sealing his victory and setting the stage for a dramatic two-lap shootout. The entire paddock and race fans alike held their breath, anticipating a fierce battle for the checkered flag.
However, the motorsport gods had a cruel twist in store for Newgarden. As the green flag dramatically waved, signaling the recommencement of racing for the final two-lap dash, disaster struck the Penske machine. Newgarden encountered a critical issue selecting sixth gear, a sudden and catastrophic mechanical glitch that instantly crippled his chances. In that fleeting moment, Palou, who had been lurking just behind, saw his opportunity. He decisively surged into the lead before the field even reached the challenging first corner, leaving a bewildered Newgarden to helplessly drop through the pack. What had looked like an assured win turned into a devastating 21st-place finish, marking a second consecutive late-race heartbreak for the talented American driver.
Palou’s opportunistic and clinical execution secured him a hard-fought victory, but the drama unfolding behind him was equally intense. With Newgarden’s dramatic collapse, the battle for the remaining podium spots intensified significantly. Colton Herta, driving for Andretti Autosport, expertly navigated the chaos to move up and claim a well-deserved second place. He successfully fended off the relentless charge of Will Power, Newgarden’s Penske teammate, who secured third place. For Power, this podium finish was particularly significant, marking his first since the season opener and offering a glimmer of hope for the struggling Penske outfit after a string of misfortunes, including a costly issue in Detroit’s first race.
Reigning IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, another formidable force from Chip Ganassi Racing, delivered a masterclass in strategic racing and overtakes. Starting from a challenging 13th position on the grid, Dixon methodically worked his way through the field, demonstrating his unparalleled experience and race craft. His impressive march culminated in a strong fourth-place finish, securing his fifth top-five result of the season. This consistent performance propelled Dixon up to third in the championship standings, reaffirming his status as a perennial title contender and a driver who can always find a way to maximize his points haul, even on a difficult weekend.
Romain Grosjean, in his impressive debut season, rebounded spectacularly from a disastrous outing in Detroit – where he was involved in a multi-car incident that curtailed his race prematurely – to deliver a thrilling performance at Road America. The Frenchman showcased his aggressive yet precise overtaking skills, making several memorable moves en route to a superb fifth-place finish. His ability to recover and perform at such a high level after a setback underscored his adaptability and potential in IndyCar. Marcus Ericsson, another Ganassi driver, also enjoyed a strong race despite an early setback. Starting 18th, Ericsson spun off at turn two, bringing out the second yellow flag of the race. However, he displayed remarkable resilience and strategic acumen to fight his way back through the field, ultimately finishing in an impressive sixth position. His teammate, Jimmie Johnson, unfortunately, also brought out an early yellow flag after spinning off at turn seven, highlighting the challenging nature of the Road America circuit for even the most experienced drivers. Alexander Rossi, a perennial front-runner, matched his best finish of the season with yet another solid seventh place, a testament to his consistency, though he continues to search for that elusive breakthrough win.
Further down the order, several drivers employed alternate strategies to great effect, highlighting the depth of talent and tactical diversity in the IndyCar paddock. Takuma Sato, despite sustaining damage to his left sidepod after an opening-lap collision with Conor Daly, executed a brilliant recovery drive. Starting from 20th, Sato utilized an aggressive fuel and tire strategy to climb all the way to an impressive eighth place. This veteran performance placed him ahead of Patricio O’Ward, who finished ninth but crucially held onto second position in the championship standings. Max Chilton, another driver who gambled with an alternate strategy in the latter stages of the race, also reaped significant rewards. Chilton notably led several laps, showcasing the effectiveness of his team’s tactical call, and brought home his first top-10 finish in IndyCar in four years, a remarkable comeback for the British driver.
Just on the fringe of the top ten, Oliver Askew delivered a commendable performance, finishing 12th. Askew was deputizing for the injured Rinus VeeKay at Ed Carpenter Racing, and his strong showing under pressure demonstrated his capability to compete at this level. Another notable relief driver in the field was Kevin Magnussen, making his IndyCar debut with McLaren SP as a stand-in for Félix Rosenqvist. Magnussen initially impressed, leading six laps thanks to the opportune timing of one of the caution periods. He pitted just before the yellow flag, subsequently taking the lead when the rest of the field made their stops under caution. However, Magnussen’s promising IndyCar debut came to an untimely end on lap 34 when his engine unfortunately shut off while exiting turn seven. This incident brought out the third full-course caution of the race, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama.
The Road America race proved to be a pivotal moment in the 2021 IndyCar Series championship. Álex Palou, who had entered the weekend trailing Patricio O’Ward by a mere single point, emerged from the event not only with his second victory of the season but also with a substantial 28-point lead over his Mexican rival. This significant shift in the standings firmly established Palou as the driver to beat and a serious championship contender. Conversely, Josef Newgarden was left to rue what could have been, grappling with the bitter taste of misfortune. Despite leading an incredible 99 out of the last 125 racing laps across the previous two races, Newgarden has been unable to convert his dominant pace into victories, a frustrating pattern that has severely hampered his championship aspirations.
The struggles extended beyond Newgarden to the entire Team Penske operation. Given Will Power’s own stroke of bad luck in Detroit, where a late-race issue denied him a strong result, the team could have easily secured three consecutive victories across the Detroit doubleheader and Road America. Instead, Team Penske finds itself enduring its longest winless drought to start a season since 1999, a staggering statistic for a team accustomed to consistent success. While Power’s podium finish at Road America provided a small consolation and a much-needed morale boost, the team faces an urgent task to regroup and convert their raw pace into championship-defining results. The unpredictability of Road America once again showcased the fierce competition and dramatic narratives that define the NTT IndyCar Series, promising an enthralling battle for the title in the races to come.
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Race result
| Position | Car | Driver | Team | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Alex Palou | Ganassi | Honda |
| 2 | 26 | Colton Herta | Andretti | Honda |
| 3 | 12 | Will Power | Penske | Chevrolet |
| 4 | 9 | Scott Dixon | Ganassi | Honda |
| 5 | 51 | Romain Grosjean | Coyne/RWR | Honda |
| 6 | 8 | Marcus Ericsson | Ganassi | Honda |
| 7 | 27 | Alexander Rossi | Andretti | Honda |
| 8 | 30 | Takuma Sato | RLL | Honda |
| 9 | 5 | Patricio O’Ward | McLaren SP | Chevrolet |
| 10 | 59 | Max Chilton | Carlin | Chevrolet |
| 11 | 15 | Graham Rahal | RLL | Honda |
| 12 | 21 | Oliver Askew | Carpenter | Chevrolet |
| 13 | 28 | Ryan Hunter-Reay | Andretti | Honda |
| 14 | 3 | Scott McLaughlin | Penske | Chevrolet |
| 15 | 29 | James Hinchcliffe | Andretti Steinbrenner | Honda |
| 16 | 14 | Sebastien Bourdais | Foyt | Chevrolet |
| 17 | 60 | Jack Harvey | Meyer Shank | Honda |
| 18 | 22 | Simon Pagenaud | Penske | Chevrolet |
| 19 | 52 | Cody Ware | Coyne/RWR | Honda |
| 20 | 20 | Conor Daly | Carpenter | Chevrolet |
| 21 | 2 | Josef Newgarden | Penske | Chevrolet |
| 22 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Ganassi | Honda |
| 23 | 18 | Ed Jones | Coyne/Vasser | Honda |
| 24 | 7 | Kevin Magnussen | McLaren SP | Chevrolet |
| 25 | 4 | Dalton Kellett | Foyt | Chevrolet |
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