The time has come for the final oval race on the 2022 IndyCar Schedule. Gateway, the host of this occasion, could be called the house Roger Penske built. Between IndyCar, the NASCAR Cup, and Xfinity Series, his cars have won nine times. Seven of those are in IndyCar, including six of the last eight. You could say this is perfect timing for Will Power, Josef Newgarden, and Scott McLaughlin, who are all in title contention, with Power leading the points. How would things fair on the outskirts of St. Louis?
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Tying Super Mario
Power kicked off the weekend in tremendous fashion, picking up his 67th career pole position. A gigantic feat, as this ties Mario Andretti for the most ever in IndyCar history. Over his years in IndyCar, as well as ChampCar, Power has put up 13 seasons of multiple poles, including 21 in three years from 2010-2012. A big congrats to Power and Team Penske, who continues to add to a Hall of Fame career.
NOBODY HAS MORE POLES!
Retweet to congratulate @12WillPower on tying @MarioAndretti with his 67th career pole in @INDYCAR. @Team_Penske pic.twitter.com/mytrQor9PZ
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) August 19, 2022
Gotta Go Fast
The biggest surprise of the evening was the length of the opening stint, well over 100 laps before a caution for a car in the wall out of turn four. The highlight here however was Felix Rosenqvist, who gained a mind-numbing 13 spots in the opening seven laps. He ended up starting in 26th due to a spin during qualifying, the good news was that the car suffered no damage. Clearly so as he cut his starting position in half that quick. By halfway, Rosenqvist was comfortably in the top 10.
Man on a mission!
Felix gains 11 positions on lap 1. 😱
pic.twitter.com/vVUSCQ8lwa— Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team (@ArrowMcLaren) August 20, 2022
Rain Rain Go Away
It was going to happen sooner or later, but a caution turned into a red flag that came out just shy of 40 laps to go for rain. The good news here was that this wasn’t a race-ender. Even with a 30-minute lightning hold, things got back going around 10:00 EST. There was also a bird hired by the racing tower tasked with checking the moisture on the track earlier on which was fantastic.
You can park there for now, bird. #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/zlFuFVk38X
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) August 21, 2022
The David Malukas Show
Although he came up just short of victory, the star of the show at WWT Raceway was the rookie Malukas. On fresher tires than those ahead of him, he made it up to third behind McLaughlin with little time remaining. Once he got to within a half second of the No. 3 car his momentum stalled, which forced him to make a daring move on the outside. On the final trek through turns one and two, he sent it around the outside of McLaughlin, and only ended up around sixth tenths back of the win. Not a win, but he showed that he can go with the best in the business last night. For what it’s worth as well, Malukas won both races here a season ago in the Indy Lights Series.
RETWEET to congratulate @malukasdavid!
He passed Scott McLaughlin on the final lap to score a runner-up finish and his first podium in the NTT @INDYCAR SERIES. pic.twitter.com/1unNyuh2Hi
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) August 21, 2022
The House that Josef Newgarden Built
Four wins in the last seven races, and now three in a row for Newgarden at Gateway. He is also the only multi-time winner at the St. Louis oval circuit in the history of the series as well. As for how he got it done tonight, he blasted by McLaughlin for the lead early in the final stint after he made a bobble out of turn two. After that, it was nothing more than a formality. As well for Newgarden, this is his fifth win of the season, the most he has ever had in a single year in IndyCar.
Fifth win of the year, fourth win at @WWTRaceway.
Hear from @Team_Penske's @josefnewgarden after he emerged victorious. #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/U8EamKvf99
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) August 21, 2022
With now two races remaining, he is right on the rear bumper of Power in points, just three back. Behind him is the Chip Ganassi Racing duo of Scott Dixon and Marcus Ericsson. The gap between the four; just 17 points. All that remains now is Portland then Laguna Seca to decide this Championship. Newgarden has never won a title in an even-numbered year, but there’s a first time for everything right?
IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500 Top 10
1st No. 2 Josef Newgarden
2nd No. 18 David Malukas
3rd No. 3 Scott McLaughlin
4th No. 5 Pato O’Ward
5th No. 51 Takuma Sato
6th No. 12 Will Power
7th No. 9 Scott Dixon
8th No. 8 Marcus Ericsson
9th No. 10 Alex Palou
10th No. 15 Graham Rahal
IndyCar Series Points Standings after Gateway
1st No. 12 Will Power 482 Points
2nd No. 2 Josef Newgarden 479 Points (-3)
3rd No. 9 Scott Dixon 468 Points (-14)
4th No. 8 Marcus Ericsson 465 Points (-17)
5th No. 10 Alex Palou 439 Points (-43)
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
