Nashville race winner: Newgarden triumphs in IndyCar season finale
IndyCar Race: Joseph Newgarden Claims Victory as Pato O'Ward Suffers Crash
In a thrilling IndyCar race, Joseph Newgarden emerged victorious at the weekend's event, securing his 32nd career win and extending his impressive streak of winning at least one race in 11 consecutive seasons.
However, the race was marred by a crash involving Mexico's Pato O'Ward. O'Ward, who had won his last IndyCar race in the 2025 season at the Iowa race, led much of the way before suffering a front right tire failure that sent him crashing into the outer wall. The incident left O'Ward expressing disappointment, describing it as "one of the worst feelings."
Newgarden's win was not without its own drama. He passed Alexander Rossi for the lead on lap 147 and pitted with 40 laps remaining in the race. Australian Will Power briefly took the lead, but stalled his engine in the pits and returned to the track a lap down.
Newgarden led on a restart with 10 laps remaining until the finish, fending off challenges from Scott McLaughlin and Alex Palou. McLaughlin had a collision with the outer wall with 20 laps remaining, causing a caution flag. Despite this setback, McLaughlin managed to finish the race in third place, edging out Kyffin Simpson of the Cayman Islands.
Palou, who had already clinched his fourth IndyCar season crown in five years earlier this month, finished the race in second place. The race marked the third-most podium finishes this year for Palou, with a total of 13.
With this win, Newgarden now ranks 10th on the all-time IndyCar win list. Newgarden's teammate, Will Power, who had a disappointing race due to his engine stalling in the pits, remains one step behind with 31 wins.
The race was held at a track known for its high-speed turns and challenging layout, providing an exciting and unpredictable race for the spectators. As the IndyCar season continues, drivers will be looking to emulate Newgarden's success and avoid the misfortune that befell O'Ward.
