It’s Tuesday, September 5, 2023 and this is Racing Recap, your summary of last weekend’s motorsports action. The IndyCar Series championship was decided before the final round for the first time since unification in 2008. Ferrari couldn’t prevent Max Verstappen from winning an unprecedented tenth F1 race in a row at Monza. The NASCAR Cup Series began its playoffs with the Southern 500, and MotoGP narrowed avoided tragedy in Barcelona.

Palou Clinches IndyCar Title Early In Portland

The objective was simply for Alex Palou. If the Chip Ganassi Racing driver finished on the podium, he was champion regardless of where his teammate and sole remaining title rival Scott Dixon finished. Palou was able to keep Dixon behind him as the two quickly made their way to the front. However, an opportune caution allowed McLaren’s Felix Rosenqvist to make his final pitstop and re-enter the race ahead of Dixon, splitting the contenders. As Rosenqvist focused on keeping the six-time champion behind him, Palou was able to win the race and secure his second title in three years.

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Race Results

1. - Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. - Sergio Perez (Red Bull) - +6.064 seconds
3. - Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) - +11.193 seconds
4. - Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - +11.377 seconds
5. - George Russell (Mercedes) - +23.028 seconds

Larson Wins Playoff-Opening Southern 500

Kyle Larson punches his ticket to the second round of the Cup Series playoffs with a win at the Southern 500. Denny Hamlin seemed destined to take the victory after leading 177 laps of the 367-lap classic. However, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver made an extra pit stop with just over 100 laps to go over fears of having a loose wheel. Hamlin rejoined the race a lap down. Larson’s only challenge over the closing laps was from 23XI’s Tyler Reddick.

Race Results

1. - Kyle Larson (Hendrick)
2. - Tyler Reddick (23XI) - +0.447 seconds
3. - Chris Buescher (RFK) - +0.898 seconds
4. - William Byron (Hendrick) - +0.930 seconds
5. - Ross Chastain (Trackhouse) +3.160 seconds

Bagnaia Escapes Tragedy In Opening Lap Crash

Aleix Espargaro led an Aprilia 1-2 at the Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona, but the race was overshadowed by a pair of massive crashes on the opening lap. Going into the first corner, Ducati’s Enea Bastianini entered too quickly and collided with Pramac’s Johann Zarco. The collision sparked a pile-up that ended with five Ducati riders in the gravel.

Just further up the road, Francesco Bagnaia suffered a massive high-side and was flung by his Ducati through the air. The reigning world champion landed in front of the rest of the field and was run over by KTM’s Brad Binder. The race was immediately red-flagged so the riders could receive medical attention. While many feared the worst for Bagnaia, he escaped the crash without any fractures and only sustained multiple contusions. With several hand and leg fractures, Bagnaia’s teammate Bastianini was far worse.

Race Results

1. - Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia)
2. - Maverick Viñales (Aprilia) - +0.377 seconds
3. - Jorge Martin (Pramac) - +2.831 seconds
4. - Johann Zarco (Pramac) - +4.867 seconds
5. - Miguel Oliveira (Pramac) - +7.529 seconds

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