O’Ward beats Lundgaard to Mid-Ohio IndyCar win

Lundgaard led the field to green and controlled the opening stanza of the 90-lap race.

Lundgaard and O’Ward skipped away from the field with Team Penske’s David Malukas in tow to build an 11-second lead over Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou before the pit stops began.

The leaders made it through the first round of refuelling and tyre changes without any major position changes.

Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Rinus VeeKay ran fourth while Andretti Global driver Kyle Kirkwood was the biggest mover to fifth from 10th on the grid following the first pit stops.

As the second round of pit stops approached, Lundgaard came upon lapped traffic. On Lap 42, he got loose entering Turn 2 and that opened the door for O’Ward to attack.

Using push-to-pass, O’Ward went around the outside at Turn 3 to give himself the inside for Turn 4 and took the lead away.

O’Ward was unchallenged from there. The top contenders made it through the final sequence of pit stops without drama for O’Ward to claim victory by a little under one second over Lundgaard.

“It’s been a year. It’s been a tough one, for sure,” said O’Ward, who ended his drought dating back to Toronto last year.

“Today is just a perfect example of execution. I waited for the perfect time to pounce and from there we just controlled it.

“The guys were amazing in the pits. I know they’ve been working really, really hard to give me that every single weekend.

“This car has been a joy to drive all weekend. Thanks to team Chevy, it’s the best result as a team we’ve ever had – one-two. Glad to be a winner here in Mid-Ohio again.”

Lundgaard bemoaned an ill-handling car, which he said led to the mistake at Turn 2.

“I’m just trying to catch my breath in all honesty. That was a very long, very tough race,” said Lundgaard.

“We were very loose and in these conditions when you’re loose, it makes the car a lot heavier to drive.

“I wasn’t really happy with the rear of the car all race, but congrats to the team for a one-two.”

Kirkwood completed the podium for Andretti Global. It was a standout drive from 10th on the grid, combining on-track passes with a well-executed strategy.

“I’m super happy with that result, to be honest,” said Kirkwood.

“Starting 10th, everybody knows this place is super hard to pass. Still a good race between all of us there at the end, between Pato, Lundgaard and Rinus (VeeKay).

“I’ve got to give props to Rinus, he was super, super fast. I’m proud of our day. Third place after qualifying 10th. Having to drive through the field passing some big hitters.”

Australia’s interest Will Power was sixth for Andretti Global. He got squeezed out of third position at the start and never fully recovered the ground he lost while others made headway.

VeeKay and Palou completed the top five from sixth and eighth on the grid respectively.

Meyer Shank Racing’s Marcus Armstrong clawed his way from 24th to 14th, just behind his teammate Felix Rosenqvist.

Scott McLaughlin was only able to gain one place to finish 16th. His Team Penske stablemates David Malukas and Josef Newgarden were eighth and ninth respectively.

Scott Dixon had a day to forget. He started 23rd and finished 17th after being run off the road by Ed Carpenter Racing driver Alexander Rossi.

IndyCar continues in two weeks time at Nashville on July 20.

Results: IndyCar Series Honda Indy 200, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course