Josef Newgarden wins Indycar campionship

Indycar Season Finale at Sonoma

Championship leader Josef Newgarden sat on pole for just the second time in his career and his Penske teammates rounded out the top 2 rows.  It was no surprise that the race came down to Josef and his teammate Simon Pagenaud, who was on a unique 4 stop pit stop strategy while Josef pitted just three times.  In the end it was Simon Pagenaud who held off Josef Newgarden for the win as Josef became the new Indycar champion in his inaugural season with Team Penske.

 

POLE SITTER:   Josef Newgarden

TOP TEN

1. Simon Pagenaud: Finished 2nd in the 2017 Championship after his second win and 13th Top 5 of the year.
2. Josef Newgarden: His ninth podium of the year in route to his first Indycar Championship.
3. Will Power: His seventh podium of the year.  He finished 5th in season points.

4. Scott Dixon: Ten Top 5 finished for the year was enough to finish 3rd for the season.

5. Helio Castroneves: Finished 4th in season points with nine Top 5s.

6. Graham Rahal: Had twelve Top 10s for the season to finish 6th in points.

7. Marco Andretti: His

8. Ryan Hunter Reay: His sixth

9. Sebastien Bourdais: His

10. Conor Daly  Led three laps.  His fourth Top 11 in the final five races of the season.

Different Teams:   Andretti Autosport (2), Ganassi (1), Penske (4), Dale Coyne, Rahal Letterman, A. J. Foyt Racing

Different Countries:   USA (5), New Zealand, Brazil, Australia, France (2)

 5 Chevys   5 Hondas

  

FUN FACTS

 Average Speed:  104.968 mph

Time:  1  hour 55 minutes  52 seconds

Margin of Victory:  1.0986 seconds

Lead Changes:  6 among 3 drivers
Newgarden (41), Pagenaud (41), Daly (3) 

Total Passes:  161

Fastest Lap:   109.575 by Simon Pagenaud

0 Cautions

Most Improved:  Carlos Munoz 7 positions

Penalties: 1
Charlie Kimball - pit speed violation