“We just had an incredible car. I got just a little out of position at Lap 150; we were restarting eighth. I don’t think I got that sequencing correct. I really thought I went too soon, and then tried to back up and then put us in a hole. JD came over the radio and said you’re going to have to win this the old fashion way, I can’t help you. There’s not going to be stops, not going to fuel. So, I just went for it. I said alright, the car was good enough. You guys have done your job, let me drive to the front. They backed me the entire way. You can’t win this race without a great car,” said Josef Newgarden.

Multiple early-race caution flags prompted different pit strategies among the 33 starters. Consistent with NTT IndyCar Series competition, the strategies played out during the final 40 laps as the battle for the win was fought out between five drivers. But in the end it wasn’t strategy but pure driving skill and daring commitment that led to victory.