IndyCar News: Colton Herta Dominates Toronto From Start To Finish - Driver Reacts

Alex Harrington | Jul 21, 2024

Jul 21, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Andretti Global driver Colton Herta (26) holds the crystal trophy after winning the Honda Dealers Indy at Streets of Toronto. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports / Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Colton Herta celebrated a significant milestone at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, dominating the 85-lap event and clinching victory in the NTT IndyCar Series in Canada. Herta, driving the No. 26 Andretti Global Honda, led a staggering 81 laps, delivering a performance that signaled his return to form after a 41-race windless streak. The race marked Herta’s first podium top spot since May 2022, a thrilling end to a long wait for victory.

Starting in pole position, Herta showcased his skill from the onset, leading every practice and warm-up session leading up to the race. His triumph wasn’t simply a testament to his confidence this weekend, but also to the sheer performance and reliability of his car. Herta narrowly finished ahead of teammate Kyle Kirkwood, with a slim margin of just 0.3469 seconds separating them at the finish line. Notably, Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing made an impressive run from 15th to finish third.

The event wasn’t without its drama. With 13 laps remaining, Pato O’Ward’s spin at Turn 1 triggered a series of collisions involving Marcus Ericsson, Pietro Fittipaldi, Santino Ferrucci, Nolan Siegel, and Toby Sowery. Ferrucci’s car was notably launched into the air and flipped upside down in a heart-stopping moment. A red flag stopped the race for about 20 minutes due to this incident, adding another layer of suspense to the proceedings.

Racing resumed with nine laps to go, but another incident quickly unfolded as Scott McLaughlin was struck by his teammate Will Power at Turn 5, leading to significant damage to the former's car, and a drive-through penalty for Power that ultimately affected his standing, pushing him down the order. This incident allowed David Malukas to secure a season-best sixth-place finish, benefiting from the reshuffled pack in the final laps.

The top ten finishers were a blend of seasoned drivers and emerging talents, with notable names like Rinus VeeKay, Romain Grosjean, and Graham Rahal also making the list. After the race, an elated Herta reflected on his journey back to victory lane, sharing:

“We’ve been knocking on the door of a win for so long. Forty-one starts without a win is a long time and it’s been disappointing for us. Michael [Andretti’s] an owner that demands perfection and demands results. It feels so good. I’m so happy.”

Herta’s victory in Toronto is more than just a personal triumph; it signifies a momentous occasion for Andretti Global, as it reinforces their capability and resilience in the highly competitive IndyCar field.