Pato O’Ward parlayed pit strategies and efficient, hard driving to tally a strong eighth place finish. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
LEXINGTON, Ohio – It was not the easiest of race days for Pato O’Ward when it came to this past Sunday’s Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
For starters, he qualified in the 25th starting position due to an uncharacteristic spin during this past Saturday’s qualifying session. Despite the 13-turn renowned road course being 2.258 miles in length, in an INDYCAR, a lap around this FIA Grade 2 venue goes by in an instant.
Still, the 24-year-old Monterey, Mexico native had a fast No. 5 Arrow McLaren Dallara Chevrolet, consistently posting times inside the top-five throughout the weekend’s practice sessions. Likewise the Arrow McLaren INDYCAR Team had a confident driver who was up to the task.
From the moment that the green flag was unfurled, O’Ward dodged the opening lap mayhem involving Felix Rosenqvist, his teammate, and Marcus Ericsson, last year’s Indianapolis 500 winner.
In concert with utilizing his Push to Pass seconds, the sixth year NTT INDYCAR Series competitor made bold passes to work his way inside the top 10. With brilliant strategies to maximize the red alternates and black primaries, O’Ward was able to consistently stay in touch with the top 10 runners, even working his way up to second at one point in the race.
However, the only drawbacks with the aggressive three pit stop strategy were the lack of cautions and the frontrunners maximizing the two pit stops tactic such as Alex Palou, Scott Dixon and Will Power.
Undeterred from being behind the eight-ball in the waning moments of the race, O’Ward zigged and zagged his way inside the top 10 running order. By race’s end, the Mexican racer placed eighth, a respectable outcome given all that happened in qualifying and the race.
Despite coming up seven positions short of his first win of the year, O’Ward was quite proud of the effort and hustle on display in Round 9 of NTT INDYCAR Series season.
O’Ward and his No. 5 Arrow McLaren INDYCAR Team plotted their way to a top 10 finish with masterful execution. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
“I was comfortable in it, I was happy in it,” O’Ward said. “We didn’t have help from anybody. No yellows, no lappers, no nothing.”
Much like those who ran toward the front of the field, O’Ward had a bit of trouble working around drivers who ran a lap or more behind the leader. In some cases, passing lapped traffic proved as tough as working around those on the lead lap.
“I kind of saw that the leaders were struggling with the lappers a little bit,” he said. “‘Like, dude, it’s not your day. Get out of the way.’ That has to be looked at from INDYCAR. They’re just screwing everybody else’s day.”
While the stewards will likely hear out the drivers’ concerns with lapped traffic etiquette, O’Ward’s primary thoughts were on a competitive outing and second consecutive, productive afternoon in the past three weeks.
“I’m happy with our result considering that we truly had to fight for every single position,” he said. “We passed almost every single car on track. So, there wasn’t one lap that went through that we weren’t pushing it to the absolute maximum. I’m pleased with that and congratulations to Alex (Palou, race winner).”
Much like those celebrating Independence Day weekend, O’Ward knew what he was going to consume and dine on after a hard day’s work at Mid-Ohio.
“I’m going to have a nice big old burger with like French fries and chocolate ice cream!” O’Ward exclaimed with a smile and chuckle.
