Pato O’Ward cannot complain too much about his consistent start in 2023. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)
FORT WORTH, Texas – At this point in 2022, Pato O’Ward was mired in the 13th position in the championship standings after middling results of 12th at St. Petersburg and 15th at Texas.
While the Monterey, Mexico native captured two wins, it was a bittersweet season for the NTT IndyCar Series competitor, placing seventh in the points rankings after a two win, third place points finish in 2021.
Although O’Ward may have been a bit upset about his runner-up in this year’s season opener at St. Petersburg, he likely feels a bit better about his No. 5 Arrow McLaren Dallara Chevrolet efforts, especially after last Sunday’s XPEL 375 at Texas Motor Speedway.
O’Ward and Newgarden dueled during the waning moments of the XPEL 375. (Photo: Aaron Brink | The Podium Finish)
Starting from the fifth position, O’Ward took the lead on Lap 109 for the first of six occasions around the 1.5-mile speedway. Much like the 2021 race, O’Ward was a bona fide contender, holding his own against Josef Newgarden throughout the 250-lap race.
Impressively, Newgarden and O’Ward led for a combined 214 laps, nearly 86% of the race’s full distance. With both drivers dueling it out for the duration of the event, it was a matter of who would blink first and prevail at the 26-year-old motorsports facility.
On the race’s penultimate lap, Newgarden took the lead from O’Ward prior to a backstretch accident that eliminated Romain Grosjean from contention. Grosjean’s accident resulted in the final and race ending caution, effectively concluding any efforts by O’Ward to win for a second time at Texas.
Despite coming up short for the second consecutive time in as many races, O’Ward’s consistency rewarded him with a slender, seven point lead over Marcus Ericsson, the defending Indianapolis 500 champion.
After O’Ward clambered out of his No. 5 car, he tipped his cap to his hardworking team for their unwavering efforts.
“I was timing the tow, but it’s been a hell of a start to the year. The guys gave me an absolute rocket ship,” O’Ward said to Dave Burns of IndyCar on NBC. “Everybody that was watching the race way through, I’m pretty sure saw that.
“So it’s been an absolute joy to drive this Arrow McLaren No. 5 Chevy. And I guess we’ve had two second places, so we’re still waiting for that win this year.”
O’Ward is off to a strong start in 2023. (Photo: Dylan Nadwodny | The Podium Finish)
O’Ward considered the big picture, especially with his pursuit of the NTT IndyCar Series championship. Given the unpredictability and high stakes intensity of this motorsports division, O’Ward was elated about his strong start.
“That’s a great start to the championship. And that’s what we need,” he said. “That’s what we need and we’re going to keep chipping at it to see that first win of the season and then try and rack some more up.”
As O’Ward prepares for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, Apr. 16, (3 p.m. ET on NBC), he acknowledged his respect for Newgarden, the race winner, and how both drivers dueled with gravitas.
“That’s how it should be. It shouldn’t be any other way,” O’Ward said.
