Yahoo Autos Will Power Prevails at Iowa as Massive Last-Lap Crash Overshadows Victory
Will Power had never won at Iowa Speedway and went nearly five years without an oval victory.
Power started 22nd after hitting the wall on lap two of Saturday's qualifying.
All four drivers included in the last-lap crash are in stable condition, with Sting Ray Robb being looked at further.
Will Power credits massive fuel save for his surprise win at Iowa Speedway. Power started 22nd and spent most of the day running through the pack.
The Penske driver was able to save fuel by not pushing his car for passes as he was marooned in the midpack. The team was able to risk it and go long on their pit stop and luckily caught a yellow that helped them leapfrog through the field in a race where passing was minimal.
"Massive fuel save, honestly just sitting in the pack," Power told NBC Sports. "I had a really good car, really fast. I just sat back to use that pace to save fuel. I knew once all those guys [the leaders] pulled in, I could go hard. Then we caught a yellow, and that was what we were hoping for."
Power went almost two years between race wins, as 2023 was the hardest season of his 20-year career. He has now won two of the five races since the start of June. The second half of the Iowa Doubleheader also marks his first oval victory in nearly five years. The last came at Pocono in 2019.
Alex Palou rebounded from his uncharacteristic crash in Saturday's night race for a second-place finish to maintain his championship lead, now over Power who took second from Pato O'Ward with his win.
Power's teammate Scott McLaughlin finished third to be the only driver on the podium in both races after his win Saturday night.
As Power crossed the finish line, mayhem broke out at the back of the field as Alexander Rossi slowed and Sting Ray Robb was sent flying into the air after using the McLaren as a ramp.
Robb landed upside down, protected by the Aeroscreen, and Rossi spun down the track, collecting Kyle Kirkwood and Ed Carpenter.
All drivers reported okay. Robb is being taken for further examination but was able to give a thumbs up to the crowd as he was wheeled into the ambulance.
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