INDYCAR at Phoenix Outcomes: Josef Newgarden’s Late Cost Powered Him to Win

The last time INDYCAR competed at Phoenix Raceway, Josef Newgarden finished on top. Turns out, not much has changed since 2018, as the Team Penske driver took the checkered flag Saturday in the first race of the Desert Double, followed by the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday. 

Here’s a brief recap of INDYCAR’s return to Phoenix for the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday on FOX. 

The Winner Is…

Josef Newgarden won Saturday’s INDYCAR race at Phoenix Raceway, thanks to some standout racing and fresher tires than the drivers in front of him in the final laps. The No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet entered the weekend with a fast car, qualifying second behind teammate David Malukas.

This was the 33rd career victory for two-time INDYCAR champ, who now has two career wins at Phoenix after winning the 2018 race — the last time INDYCAR raced at the one-mile desert track.

“We took tires [with 38 laps left], and that factor was like a rocket ship when it wanted to be,” Newgarden advised the FOX broadcast after his victory.

Newgarden led for less than eight laps, however he was out entrance when it mattered most.

How The Race Was Received

Christian Rasmussen seemed like he simply needed to play sturdy protection together with his dominant No. 21 ECR Chevrolet on Saturday to win. Regardless of points with the automotive that he and his group struggled to diagnose throughout the race, Rasmussen had the lead with 10 of the 250 whole laps remaining. 

However Rasmussen — who led a race-high of 69 laps — was being chased down by vehicles with newer tires, together with Newgarden, and it caught as much as him. 

First, Kyle Kirkwood took the lead from Rasmussen with about 9 laps to go, however Newgarden was making strikes behind them. With eight laps left, Newgarden was working second after passing Rasmussen, and with fewer than seven, the Workforce Penske driver made a cross for the lead and by no means relinquished it. 

Rasmussen advised the FOX broadcast afterward that he thought his automotive was “the category of the sector immediately, greatest automotive on the market” however he in the end completed 14th. He additionally put blame on Will Energy, saying the No. 26 Andretti International Honda driver ran him into the wall, which damage the speedy automotive.

One Huge Second

One thing INDYCAR followers do not usually see: Alex Palou not ending a race. However that is what occurred Sunday after the four-time INDYCAR champ accomplished simply 21 laps earlier than smacking the wall and ending his day. 

“I do not know if I simply squeezed somebody or if somebody was making an attempt to get there,” Palou advised FOX Sports activities’ Georgia Henneberry on the printed after being evaluated and launched. “I did not assume there was anyone there.”

That is solely the ninth time in Palou’s 100 profession INDYCAR begins that he hasn’t completed the race. And after successful the St. Pete season opener final week, there’s an opportunity Palou’s streak of dominance on the prime of the standings ends. 

High-10 Outcomes

1. Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet
2. Kyle Kirkwood, No. 27 Andretti Global Honda
3. David Malukas, No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet
4. Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
5. Marcus Armstrong, No. 66 Meyer Shank Honda
6. Alexander Rossi, No. 20 ECR Chevrolet
7. Scott Dixon, No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
8. Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet
9. Graham Rahal, No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
10. Kyffin Simpson, No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda

What’s Subsequent?

The third race of the 2026 INDYCAR season would be the Java Home Grand Prix of Arlington by the streets of Arlington, Texas and adjoining to AT&T Stadium. INDYCAR’s Arlington road race is about for Sunday, March 15 at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One.