Team Penske showcased their prowess in the IndyCar season-opening race in St. Petersburg with a commanding performance led by Josef Newgarden's win from the pole position. The Penske trio, including Scott McLaughlin and Will Power, secured top finishes, with Pato O'Ward of Arrow McLaren Racing breaking up the Penske dominance with a second-place finish.
The race saw Penske drivers outperforming every Andretti Global driver, following recent criticism from Michael Andretti regarding investments in promotion and marketing within the series. Colton Herta was the highest-finishing Andretti driver in fifth place, while Marcus Ericsson faced challenges and finished 25th.
Reigning champion Alex Palou claimed sixth place for Chip Ganassi Racing, and Felix Rosenqvist finished seventh in his debut race with Meyer Shank Racing. The top 10 was rounded out by Alexander Rossi, Scott Dixon, and Rinus VeeKay.
Team Penske's victory marked their third season-opening win this year, adding to their successes in other racing series. Newgarden's impressive performance, leading 92 of the 100 laps, secured his 30th career victory and third win at St. Pete.
Chevrolet also shone in the IndyCar opener, with a 1-2-3-4 finish and seven cars in the top 11. Chevy drivers praised offseason engagement with their engine supplier and the upgrades provided, emphasizing the strong partnership between teams and Chevrolet.
Looking ahead, IndyCar will head to the Thermal Club in California for an all-star style exhibition race with a $1 million payout, following successful testing at the venue in 2023.
Overall, the IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg showcased Team Penske's dominance, Chevrolet's impressive performance, and set the stage for an exciting season ahead in the world of auto racing.
