Disaster for Power and McLaughlin

The struggles carry on for Team Penske as Will Power and Scott McLaughlin were part of a triple DNF as Kyle Kirkwood claimed victory in IndyCar’s race at Gateway.

Kirkwood was the toast of the field as he claimed his first oval victory in the Bommarito Automotive Group 500.

He held off Pato O’Ward by a slender half a second in a thrilling finish.

There were no less than 21 lead changes across a thrilling affair with Kirkwood only stealing the lead from Callum Illott with just four laps left.

The Andretti driver took his fifth win of his career with the pit crew playing a big role as strategy helped the #27 emerge in the lead.

However, the pain for Team Penske did not relent with all three drivers failing to finish a dramatic 260-lap affair.

Australian Power started from pole, but only lasted four laps as a tyre puncture sent him into the Turn 4 wall and out of business.

“It was right front tire failure. Man, I felt last night while we were running, we were pretty much flat through Turn 3 and 4 every lap,” Power said. 

“I thought that was a lot of load when I had a failure at Iowa it felt the same. 

“You’re literally flat every lap through (Turn) 3 and 4 here. (watches the video) – nothing I could do there.

“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. 

“Nothing was going to stop a tire failure, but that’s the way it is.”

Attention turned to Kiwi McLaughlin, and things were looking good for the #3.

The former Supercars driver led 51 laps, but his hopes were cut short on Lap 216 due to a mechanical gremlin.

McLaughlin was unsure exactly what caused his run of consecutive top fives at Gateway to an end.

“Something broke. I don’t know. Something in the left rear, lucky it happened in Turn 2,” he said.
“Coming down the straight, I felt like someone hit me, but the spotter said I was clear. 

“Really bummed for the everybody on the DEX Imaging Chevy. We had a fast car, but not a clean night. 

“Some questionable stuff a couple of times. Malukas pulling out in front and us getting the penalty for that. Have to look back on it. 

“Very disappointed because he had a decent car and a good run going.”

Then to add insult to injury the remaining Team Penkse car Josef Newgarden had a terrifying moment.

Newgarden was sent airborne and landed upside down in a shower of sparks after a clash with Louis Foster at Turn 4.

The IndyCar circuis continues with Road America this weekend.

Image: Penske Entertainment: Karl Zemlin

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