Will Power dominates IndyCar Portland for the win

After passing inaugural pole-sitter Ferrucci, the Team Penske driver and IndyCar title challenger drove with a strong performance in Portland, thereby controlling the pack.

Relatively unchallenged on way to Portland's Grand Prix, Will Power swiftly grabbed the lead from pole-sitter Santino Ferrucci into Turn 1.

Championship leader Alex Palou, who started third and rapidly moved to second, was the closest competitor of the 43-year-old Australian; he could not mount a run either on-track or during pit sequences to pass Power. Power ended his third victory of the season and 44th of his career with his No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet out front for 101 of 110 laps, bested by Palou by 9.8267s across the 12-turn, 1.964-mile natural terrain road circuit. With three races left, he also reverted to second in the title chase, falling behind Palou by 54 points (484-430).

"Very rewarding," Power remarked of the victory. Like the whole crew, I arrived here resolved. I arrived here especially resolved. … Get qualifying correct and then run the race as kind of our, no last resort, but really if Palou finished ahead of us today then it would be quite difficult. a whole team effort. Quite fortunate to drive for this squad. Rather blessed to have sponsors like Chevrolet and Verizon. Gonna remain ahead here by battling. A few poor races before this, but indeed I truly enjoy this series. Being a part of it makes me lucky; race all these outstanding drivers and see whether we could earn a championship.

Third runner Josef Newgarden, a teammate, joined Power on the podium. Fourth went Andretti Global's Colton Herta, ahead of Marcus Armstrong of Chip Ganassi Racing in fifth.

The Race

Out of the last circuit, pole-sitter Ferrucci led the race to the green flag; frontrow mate Power tucked in behind and drew off before making an inside Turn 1 move to grab the lead.

Ferrucci went to second, behind Palou. Moments later, though, chaos erupted when Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood's aggressive charge sent Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon off track. Dixon dropped wheels and returned on course, but he came upon Pietro Fittipaldi's No. 30 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda. Dixon was slammed into the Turn 8 barrier as the two collided wheel-to---wheel, marking the first retirement from the race.

Fittipaldi was given a drive-through penalty for avoidable collision by Race Control.

With movements occurring further back in the pack as Colton Herta put a move on Christian Lundgaard to take over sixth, Power held steady at the top place on lap five. Starting on a pair of used softer alternatives, the No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Honda of Romain Grosjean climbed up to fourth from starting sixth.

Palou trailed Power by 0.8864s and got around Ferrucci with a cool inside move into Turn 1.

Not long after the restart, Kirkwood contacted with a disturbing left-rear problem resulting from the accident with Dixon. On lap 20 Kirkwood pitted on, dropped from sixth to sixteen, then changed to a set of fresh alternatives from old ones.

On lap 26, power kept leading with a 0.4649s margin over Palou. From third, Ferrucci dove to pit lane on lap 31 and decided to switch from the tougher main compound to a pair of worn alternatives.

Power set on lap 32 and switched from primary to a set of used reds, giving Palou, who opted for the overcut, the lead. Lap later, After a delayed pit stop by Palou, who dropped to 1.7s back and on a pair of used primaries on lap 34, power cycled back to the lead.

After his first pit stop, Ferrucci, who was stuck farther back in the pack, managed to go by Herta in Turn 4 to claim sixth, which was helped after Herta and Grosjean touched down on lap 34. Herta said over the radio, "Grosjean just pushed me off," but Race Control did nothing.

On lap 40 Palou lagged Power by 1.6699s. Five circuits later, Power's grip on lead stretched to 2.6821s over the Spaniard. Running an alternative strategy following a previous pit stop earlier on lap 13, Alexander Rossi of Arrow McLaren stopped on lap 45 and chose a pair of used alternatives.

By lap 50, Felix Rosenqvist of Kirkwood and Meyer Shank Racing pitted as Power stretched to a 3.6078s lead over Palou. On lap 53, Grosjean placed first.

Power led the top five at the midway mark; followed by Palou, Newgarden, Ferrucci and Herta. You may read also this: Malukas Ready For Its First Indycar Start In 2024

On lap 56 Newgarden and Palou pitted; the former utilized used alternates while the latter changed to fresh alternates.

On lap 57, power pitted from the lead turned the lead on to Herta. Power adopted still another set of utilized substitutes. Ferrucci also pitted, facing the tougher primaries before settling in at about 4s behind Grosjean.

On lap 60 Herta kept her leading position ahead of Marcus Armstrong of Chip Ganassi Racing by 2.1645s. Herta took a pair of used alternatives and came down pit lane for servicing, therefore relinquishing the lead the next lap.

Grosjean spun coming out of Turn 1 moments later. As the yellow was withdrawn, he got moving, but cut back over the racing line and touched Ed Carpenter Racing rookie Christian Rasmussen. Grosjean seemed to receive right-front damage, veering off course once more shortly before pitting. Race Control assigned Grosjean a drive-through penalty for unsportsmanlike behavior or risky actions stemming from the incident.

Armstrong positioned on lap 62 and cycled Power back to the front.

Lap 65's end of green flag stops saw Power back atop the pack with Palou 1.0040s back. Herta and Ferrucci, Newgarden, owned the other four of the top five.

Lap 70 let Power guide Palou by 1.3410s. Shortly later, David Malukas's No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda was forced to drop four spots after pushing from 14th and shortcutting the opening turn.

Lap 76 let the advantage once again extend, with Power ahead by 2.1216s over Palou. Four circuits later the Power advantage was 2.1106s.

Coming on lap 80, Ferrucci was the first of the frontrunners to pit, changing to a fresh set of alternatives following a strong 7.75s pit stop. Also pitted were Kirkwood and Rosenqvist.

Armstrong cycled ahead of Ferrucci, starting from sixth on lap 81. Herta started pressuring Newgarden for third while the two fought more than 14s behind Power.

Final Round Of Stops

On lap 85, Palou trailed Power by 1.3406s; the same lap Herta and Team Penske dove to pit lane. Herta, who substituted, slowed it and missed precious seconds.

Power set the pace for the next lap and chose a fresh set of alternates; Newgarden also came in and chose a used set of alternatives.

After a 6s stop, Palou entered the pits on lap 87 and put on a set of used primaries; Power cycled comfortably ahead by over 2s and re-assumed the lead on lap 88.

Lap 90 expanded the advantage for Power to 3.4644s; lap 95 changed it to 4.7564s.

Ten laps left, the pack opened out as Power led Palou 6.0379s ahead. Five circuits to go saw Power stretch the distance over Palou to 8.9315s.

Power kept coasting off the field, over 10s beating Palou while Newgarden was more than 23s off the mark.