FORT WORTH, Texas – It was another thrilling NTT IndyCar Series “Saturday Night Shootout” at Texas Motor Speedway as the DXC Technology 600 had all of the elements for a compelling race.
It featured speed, strategy, drama and a few unexpected twists and turns that left the outcome in doubt all the way to the checkered flag.
Let’s take a quick look at the “Key Takeaways from the DXC Technology 600”
1, A Win at Texas Motor Speedway is a Big Win in INDYCAR
Texas Motor Speedway has been a loyal partner of the NTT IndyCar Series dating all the way back to June 1997 when it was part of the original Indy Racing League. The track has remained part of the series through unification in 2008 and what is today’s NTT IndyCar Series.
Although the style of racing has changed over the years depending on the cars and tire combinations, Saturday night’s race featured some highly-competitive racing with 13 lead changes among eight different drivers.
The race also set up the dramatic battle between Alexander Rossi and eventual winner Josef Newgarden.
It was Newgarden’s first victory at Texas Motor Speedway, and that’s a big accomplishment for the driver who has led the NTT IndyCar Series standings since his season-opening victory in the March 10 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
“We're in a good spot, there's no secret about that,” Newgarden said. “But it's early. It's still early. You're halfway now. You could have a stellar first half of the season and a terrible second half or vice versa.
“I think you got to stay consistent throughout. You got to stay on top of your game. I think we got the best group for it. I have all the faith in everybody at Team Penske. I think we have a great crew. Wouldn't trade anybody any day of the week. Best of the best.
“I feel confident. We just got to keep doing what we're doing. It's a little early to predict where everything will finish up. If we keep doing as we did in the first half of the season, we're going to be looking to challenge for a championship.”
2, Incredible Streak of Success for Team Penske
It’s been an incredible five-week stretch for Team Penske that started with Simon Pagenaud’s win in the INDYCAR Grand Prix on May 11, continued with Pagenaud winning the Indy 500 Pole on May 19 followed by the team’s record-extending 18th Indianapolis 500 victory with Pagenaud driving into the Victory Lane on May 24. Newgarden won the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Race No. 1 on June 1 and the DXC Technology 600 at Texas last Saturday night.
Throw in NASCAR wins for Brad Keselowski at Kansas on May 11 and Joey Logano at Michigan on Monday evening, and an IMSA win by Juan Pablo Montoya and Dane Cameron on June 1 and that would be a pretty impressive streak on its own.
But this past Monday, Pagenaud and Team Penske along with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, INDYCAR CEO Mark Miles, IMS President Doug Boles among others were part of a group of 35 that were honored at the White House by President Donald Trump.
It was the second time in six weeks Team Penske was honored at the White House by the President. Penske and Logano were honored for their 2018 NASCAR championship on April 30.
3, Young drivers put on a great show
Colton Herta put on quite a show Saturday night, starting 10th and racing his way through the field to challenge Scott Dixon for second place with 20 laps left in the race. But that’s where the 19-year-old Herta’s race ended as the two cars collided in Turn 3 to bring out the final caution period of the race.
But there was another fast young driver still near the front of the field as 21-year-old Santino Ferrucci started 18th and finished fourth for Dale Coyne Racing.
In the NTT IndyCar Series, youth wasn’t served, it was showcased.