If you like action, then round two of the IndyCar series from the streets of Long Beach, California was the race for you. The 40th anniversary of the event had plenty of drama, including a seven-car crash, and it was Mike Conway crossing the finish line to claim his second win at the famed street circuit.
It was an all-Andretti Autosport front row for the standing start, with 2010 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay on pole and Oakville’s James Hinchcliffe alongside him. Hinch bobbled off the start, losing several positions, but made a great charge back up to second spot and nipping at his teammate’s tail.
As the drivers cycled through second pit stops, Josef Newgarden escaped pit lane with the lead but running on cold tires. Hunter-Reay and Hinchcliffe were in close pursuit with tires that were up to optimum temperature and pressure. Trying to take advantage of the situation and regain the lead, RHR made an ill-fated move up the inside at turn four, making contact with Newgarden and setting off a chain-reaction accident that also collected Tony Kanaan, last year’s winner Takuma Sato and rookie Jack Hawksworth.
With so many front runners eliminated in the carnage, numerous others were beneficiaries. Will Power had made his way forward from his starting spot (14th) and took over the lead following the big incident; he would finish second. Conway and Scott Dixon also moved to the front of the field.
In the late stages, Dixon was trying to coax his car to the finish but ran short of fuel and was forced to pit. Conway, who didn’t have to force the issue but would have likely passed Dixon anyhow, came away with the victory.
Conway — who shares the ride with team owner Ed Carpenter after running well in St. Pete, but missed out on a good result due to a pit miscue — found redemption in Long Beach, and it shows that Carpenter made a wise decision brining in Conway to run the street / road courses.
Power finished on the podium for the second consecutive race and once again was the centre of attention over a controversial call from race control. This week, it had to do with contact that sent Simon Pagenaud into the tires. It was ruled a racing incident, but I would have levied a penalty to Power.
The situation in some eyes is murky because Graham Rahal was penalized for turning around Justin Wilson but the two incidents were quite different. Rahal hit Wilson directly from behind as they were heading for a race restart, while Power was looking to gain position during green. There are also conspiracy theorists who believe no penalty to Power was imposed because his car sponsor is the same as the new series sponsor, which is ridiculous to even suggest.
So after race number two of the IndyCar season, we have an ultra-competitive field, some drivers unhappy with each other and race officials, and plenty of tight racing action on the track. It all made for plenty of action this past weekend, and sets the stage nicely for the next race at Barber Motorsport Park in two weeks.