IndyCar News: Pato O’Ward And McLaren Steal Win From Ganassi In Exciting Indy 200

Alex Harrington | Jul 8, 2024

Jun 23, 2024; Salinas, California, USA; Arrow McLaren SP driver Pato O'Ward (5) of Mexico during warm up for the Grand Prix Of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In an exciting showdown at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, McLaren’s Pato O’Ward clinched a dramatic victory in the Mid-Ohio 200, narrowly edging out Ganassi's Alex Palou by less than half a second. This thrilling finish marked O’Ward’s second victory of the year and a significant milestone in IndyCar's hybrid era.

O’Ward, who previously triumphed at St. Petersburg under different circumstances, expressed a profound sense of achievement with this win. "I know we won St. Pete, but this is a proper win," he stated, referring to the authenticity of his victory, untainted by disqualifications. The race undoubtedly pushed the envelope of racing excellence, with O’Ward benefitting from a perfectly timed pit stop and maintaining a formidable pace amidst intense pressure from Palou.

Alex Palou, secured the pole position and led the initial stints, demonstrating formidable skill. However, as the race neared its climax, Palou faced strong challenges, including a precarious moment at turn 13 that almost saw him lose control. This hiccup allowed O’Ward, leveraging his exceptionally quick laps post-pit stop, to seize the lead.

The race was fraught with strategic intricacies that significantly influenced the outcome. Agustin Canapino's unexpected fuel runout on the final lap added an unexpected twist, impacting the closing moments of the race. Meanwhile, Romain Grosjean’s re-entry to the track amid heavy traffic added complexity to an already tense racing environment. Additionally, Kyffin Simpson’s resistance to being lapped by O’Ward, his teammate’s chief rival, intensified the competition.

From a broader perspective, this victory was monumental for McLaren and marked the first win in IndyCar's nascent hybrid era, underscoring a pivotal evolution in the series.

Finishing strong behind the leading duo were notable drivers including Colton Herta, Marcus Ericsson, and Alexander Rossi, each securing a position in the top ten, which speaks volumes about the intense competition in this race. In stark contrast, David Malukas, who started promisingly in third place, crossed the finish line in 12th, showing just how unpredictable this race was.