Monday, June 22, 2015

Indy Toronto

The best part of the Honda Indy Toronto race happened before the drop of the green flag.  It was seeing Canadian James Hinchcliffe there in person to say the 'Start your engines' command.  He had been cleared by his doctors earlier in the week to make the trip to the race and it was great to see video and pictures of him at the track all weekend.


With Hinch not racing though, it became the first time in the race's  nearly 30 year history that a Canadian would not start the race.





 
The race was started on rain tires, the fourth race this season, and ended with slicks.  Will Power started the race off strong, but when a caution came out, it played directly into Josef Newgarden's hands.  He had pitted just before the pits were closed. 
At the end of the day, Josef earned his second Indycar win and became one of three drivers to win two races this season.  CFH Racing also earned their first 1-2 finish.
 
The top 10 Finishers

1.  Josef Newgarden - His second career victory in 61 Indycar starts.

2.   Luca Filippi - His highest finish in his Indycar career.
 
3.  Helio Castroneves - His third podium in the last 4 races at Toronto.
 
4.  Will Power - Won his 41st career Indycar pole surpassing Rick Mears on the all time list.
 
5.  Sebastien Bourdais - His third Top Five of the season. He is now 6th in season points.

6.  Tony Kanaan - Led 3 laps on run to his 193rd Indycar career Top 10.

7. Juan Montoya - Consistency is key.  With 9 Top Tens in 10 races he still leads the season championship by 27 points over Will Power.

8.  Scott Dixon - Swept Toronto double-header in 2013.

9.  Graham Rahal - His third Top 10 in Toronto.

10.  Takuma Sato - His second Top 10 in the last two Toronto races.
 
Top Ten included..
 
* Both CFH Racing drivers, 3 of the 4  Penske drivers, 2 Ganassi Drivers
* 8 Chevys (the Top 8) and 2 Hondas 
* Drivers from 8 different countries

Other:

2 cautions for 9 laps
Fastest lap 105.186

Shout Out to:

Rodolfo Gonzalez leading the first laps of his Indycar career!  He led 5 laps on fuel strategy driving for Dale Coyne Racing.
 
Carlos Munoz was running  a strong second behind Josef Newgarden much of the mid part of the race before going out on lap 69 with mechanical trouble and ending up 22nd.
 
 

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