Australia’s Will Power charged from 22nd on the grid to win this morning’s IndyCar Series outing at Iowa Speedway from championship leader Alex Palou and Race 1 winner Scott McLaughlin.
Power jumped the field with an overcut pit strategy before taking the lead off Palou at the second round of stops and remaining out front to take his first oval win in almost five years.
Scott Dixon secured his second fourth-place finish in as many days, while Marcus Armstrong climbed from 26th on the grid to cross the line 19th.
The race finished with a frightening multi-car collision on the final lap, with Sting Ray Robb launched airborne after running into the back of a slowing Alexander Rossi.
Ed Carpenter and Kyle Kirkwood spun to avoid the incident but finished on the inside wall, with Carpenter’s left rear tyre ending on top of Kirkwood’s entry, partially blocking the aeroscreen.
Robb was alert after the incident but was airlifted to hospital for further checks.
McLaughlin earlier led the field to green and remained at the front through the first stint ahead of Palou, who started on the front row.
The Kiwi came in for his first stop on Lap 96, handing the reigning champion lead until he came in four tours later.
Agustin Canapino spun on the apron while exiting the pits just as Palou came in for his stop, bringing a caution.
Power hit the front behind the Safety Car, having yet to stop. Palou hit the front when the Australian came in on Lap 107.
The timely caution and overcut worked in the favour of Power, who rejoined in second, ahead of McLaughlin and Dixon, respectively.
Palou gradually extended his advantage over the following laps with lapped traffic amongst the lead group, but Power responded to fall to within half a second by Lap 136. On Lap 165, just one car length separated the two leaders.
McLaughlin made his second stop from third on Lap 197, and Dixon followed suit on Lap 203.
Palou remained out until Lap 205, and Power followed the next tour. A faster stop for the Penske driver saw him cycle into the lead once he was up to full speed.
The front four remained in that order until the chequered flag.
Robb’s last lap incident came when he ran into the rear of a slowing Rossi, who appeared out of fuel.
IndyCar returns next weekend on the Streets of Toronto.
Header Image: Penske Entertainment: Chris Jones
