The 2017 Indycar season started off on the beautiful, sunny streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. In typical fashion, Penske's Will Power started from the pole (his 7th pole in the last 8 races at St. Pete!).
An incident in Turn 3 on the opening lap involving drivers, Carlos Munoz, Graham Rahal, JR Hildebrand, and Charlie Kimball allowed Power to lead the first four laps, but as soon as it went green James Hinchcliffe took the lead. Hinchcliffe maintained the lead until a yellow came out again on lap 26 during a pit stop cycle. The drivers that had not pitted yet were at a disadvantage and Simon Pagenaud found himself in front after having been in ninth for the first part of the race. Sebastien Bourdais, also benefitted from the yellow and by lap 37 he was in the lead where he remained for most of the rest of the race. Winning his first race driving for the Dale Coyne Racing team.
An incident in Turn 3 on the opening lap involving drivers, Carlos Munoz, Graham Rahal, JR Hildebrand, and Charlie Kimball allowed Power to lead the first four laps, but as soon as it went green James Hinchcliffe took the lead. Hinchcliffe maintained the lead until a yellow came out again on lap 26 during a pit stop cycle. The drivers that had not pitted yet were at a disadvantage and Simon Pagenaud found himself in front after having been in ninth for the first part of the race. Sebastien Bourdais, also benefitted from the yellow and by lap 37 he was in the lead where he remained for most of the rest of the race. Winning his first race driving for the Dale Coyne Racing team.
Top Ten
1. Sebastien Bourdais: A great win in his first ride with the Dale Coyne Racing Team since 2011.
2. Simon Pagenaud: The reigning Indycar champ led 13 laps and started the season strong.
3. Scott Dixon: Caught out by the first caution Dixie once again showed his racing skill battling back to finish 3rd.
4. Ryan Hunter-Reay: His 4th top 5 in the last 6 races at St. Pete.2. Simon Pagenaud: The reigning Indycar champ led 13 laps and started the season strong.
3. Scott Dixon: Caught out by the first caution Dixie once again showed his racing skill battling back to finish 3rd.
5. Takuma Sato: A great finish in his first race for Andretti Autosport.
6. Helio Castroneves: His lowest finish in the last 6 races at St. Pete.
7. Marco Andretti: A solid start to his season with Bryan Herta on his radio. His highest finish since Iowa in 2015.
8. Josef Newgarden: Couldn't recover from getting caught out by the first yellow, but got his highest finish ever at St. Pete driving his first race for Team Penske.
9. James Hinchcliffe: Had a very strong car but got caught out by the first yellow.
6. Helio Castroneves: His lowest finish in the last 6 races at St. Pete.
7. Marco Andretti: A solid start to his season with Bryan Herta on his radio. His highest finish since Iowa in 2015.
8. Josef Newgarden: Couldn't recover from getting caught out by the first yellow, but got his highest finish ever at St. Pete driving his first race for Team Penske.
9. James Hinchcliffe: Had a very strong car but got caught out by the first yellow.
10. Ed Jones: A good start to his Indycar career for the 2016 Indy Lights Champion.
Different Teams: 5 ( Penske 3, Andretti Autosport 3, Schmidt Peterson 1, Dale Coyne Racing 1, Ganassi .)
Different Countries: 7 (France 2, New Zealand, USA 3, Japan, Brazil, Canada, United Arab Emirates)
FUN FACTS
Average Speed: 95.391 mph
Time: 2 hour 4 1/2 Minutes
2 Cautions for 8 Laps
Lead Changes: 8 among 5 drivers (Sebastien Bourdais, James Hinchcliffe, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, Takuma Sato)
2 Cautions for 8 Laps
Lead Changes: 8 among 5 drivers (Sebastien Bourdais, James Hinchcliffe, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, Takuma Sato)
Best Lap: 104.384 mph by Scott Dixon on lap 82
THOUGHTS:
Will Power overcame a pit infraction on Lap 16 to run strong all race, only to have his race end on Lap 99 due to mechanical problems. He finished 19th.
Will Power overcame a pit infraction on Lap 16 to run strong all race, only to have his race end on Lap 99 due to mechanical problems. He finished 19th.
