By: Spencer Neff
July 7, 2024

2024 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Results

Following an “undercut” of Alex Palou during the final pit stop cycle, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward held off the pole sitter by .4993 of a second to win The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.

After starting second, the Monterey, Mexico native led the final 24 of 80 laps at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

It is his second win of 2024 after being awarded the St. Petersburg victory in the wake of Josef Newgarden’s and Scott McLaughlin’s disqualifications.

O”Ward now has six career victories in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, including two on permanent road courses. Before today, his best finish on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn permanent road course was eighth in 2021 and 2023.

He moves to third in the points standings, 70 behind Palou and 22 behind Team Penske’s Will Power, who finished 11th after starting 15th.

Power’s teammate Scott McLaughlin rounded out the podium in third, with Andretti Global teammates Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson ending the day in fourth and fifth.

After qualifying a career-best 9th (started eighth), Ed Carpenter Racing’s Christian Rasmussen earned his first Top 10 in the series in ninth.

Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing’s Toby Sowery moved up 11 spots after starting 24th in his series debut. Sowery equaled the improvement made by A.J. Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci, who started 21st and finished 10th, his sixth Top 10 in nine races.

Race Recap

The first race of the hybrid era for the series got off to a rough start for its most successful active drive.

During the pace laps, Scott Dixon’s car stalled between Turns 4 and 5. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver’s Honda-powered entry was pulled out of harm’s way and the day was over for the six-time Mid-Ohio winner.

While Dixon’s machine was moved, the race began under yellow flag conditions. The caution was lifted on Lap 3 and green flag racing began. Palou would get out to a lead of multiple seconds over O’Ward within five laps.

Dixon would rejoin the fight on Lap 22 after time in the garage to rectify the new hybrid system.

On Lap 29, Palou would pit from the lead, allowing McLaughlin to spend two laps out front before the Spaniard would regain the top spot during the end of the pit cycle.

After O’Ward got within striking distance of the lead, he opted to pit on Lap 55, a lap before Palou. During his stop, Palou briefly stalled and O’Ward sped by for the race lead.

Despite keeping the gap close, Palou was unable to find his way past O’Ward. Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Romain Grosjean spun in Turn 9 with two laps to go but was able to refire and continue without further incident.

Slowed by just the opening two-lap caution, the race was run at an average speed of 116.071 mph with four lead changes among three drivers.

Up Next

Next week marks the first of a pair of short oval doubleheaders in the 2024 season. The. .894-mile Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa hosts its fourth doubleheader weekend and third in as many years.

Practice for the weekend is scheduled for 3:35 PM – 6:00 PM ET on Friday, July 12. Qualifying for both races (Lap 1 sets Race 1 lineup, Lap 2 sets Race 2 lineup) is slated for 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM ET on Saturday, July 13.

The Hy-vee Homefront 250 will begin with an 8:00 p.m. ET broadcast on NBC.

On Sunday, July 14, the Hy-vee One Step 250 is scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. ET broadcast on NBC. Stay with IndyCar1909 for all the latest on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Header Image By Travis Hinkle/INDYCAR