By: Spencer Neff
July 12, 2025
Making his 100th NTT INDYCAR SERIES start, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward would line up fifth on the grid and used the advantage from the last pit stop of the day to win the Synk 275 powered by Sukup, the first race of the doubleheader weekend at the .894-mile Iowa Speedway oval in Newton, Iowa.
This marks O’Ward’s eighth career victory, tying him for 50th all-time with Louis Meyer, Rex Mays, Eddie Sachs, Buddy Lazier, Bruno Junqueira and Alexander Rossi.
He also becomes the sixth INDYCAR driver to win in their 100th start, joining a list that includes Rodger Ward, A.J. Foyt, Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti and Patrick Carpentier.
O’Ward wins for the first time since Race 1 of the Milwaukee Mile doubleheader in 2024. He also won at Iowa Speedway in 2022 (Race 2), his 50th INDYCAR start. Five of his eight career victories have been during a doubleheader weekend.
After starting on the pole and leading the first 232 laps, Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden would be second following the last round of pit stops. Falling short of a seventh Iowa victory by .2352 of a second, he records his best finish of 2025 and first podium since the season opener in St. Petersburg.
Newgarden’s teammate Will Power completed the podium with McLaughlin, who started last after crashing in qualifying, giving Team Penske a 2-3-4 finish and Chevrolet their first sweep of the Top Four since the Milwaukee race O’Ward was victorious in.
McLaughlin’s victory in Race 2 had been Chevrolet’s last victory before Honda’s 11-race win streak.
While O’Ward’s victory moves him to second in points, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou was the best finisher among the Hondas in fifth. He maintains a 105-point advantage with 11 of 17 races completed.
Louis Foster of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing finished 14th after starting 12th in his first INDYCAR start at Iowa and stretches his lead to 11 over PREMA Racing’s Robert Shwartzman in Rookie of the Year standings.
Race Recap
During the start, Colton Herta was tagged by Christian Lundgaard and spun into the grass on the front stretch. Just moments after the 27-car field took the green flag, the race was under caution.
Newgarden held the lead while McLaughlin stormed from last on the grid to 14th by Lap 70. On Lap 75, Jacob Abel drifted up high and crashed into the wall exiting Turn 2.
The Dale Coyne Racing rookie walked away from the incident but his Iowa Speedway INDYCAR debut ended with a 27th-place finish.
Following issues on the pit stop under the caution, Daly worked his way up to third behind O’Ward. Newgarden’s difficulty lapping Kyffin Simpson would allow O’Ward to mount another challenge.
With 20 laps remaining, Arrow McLaren’s Nolan Siegel spun and crashed hard into the Turn 4 wall. Shortly after the caution, the red flag was displayed as track repairs were made in addition to the cleanup for Siegel’s accident.
During the restart, PREMA Racing’s Callum Ilott made contact with the wall in Turn 2, necessitating another caution.
Following the restart with nine laps to go, O’Ward held off Newgarden for his fourth win in a 10th 1-2 finish between them. O’Ward set the fastest lap of the race at the checkered flag (178.631 mph-18.017 seconds).
Slowed by five cautions spanning 47 laps, the average speed of the race was 139.146 mph. The race featured five lead changes between as many drivers.
Up Next
Tomorrow will be the Farm to Finish 275, the second race of the Iowa doubleheader weekend. Here is the schedule for on-track activities. Stay with IndyCar1909.com for the latest on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
SUNDAY, JULY 13
Noon FOX on air
12:15 p.m. Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup “Drivers, start your engines”
12:20 p.m. Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup (275 laps/245.85 miles), FOX (live)
Header Image By Chris Owens/INDYCAR
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