This season hasn’t been the best for top team, Team Penske. But the first Iowa race – the Synk 275 – brought redemption with a double podium. Chevrolet also got redemption in the race, with Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward taking a win on his 100th race.
Condensed Running Due to Tornado
Friday in Newton saw a tornado just outside of the track, leading to the days running being cancelled.
This caused Saturday to have a tighter, more condensed schedule with practice, qualifying, and race one all in one day.
Andretti Global struggled with the limited time to test and get up to speed – with Kyle Kirkwood and Colton Herta making mistakes in all three sessions.
After hitting the wall in practice, Kirkwood could only qualify P18 whereas Herta couldn’t find the pace and qualified P23.
Team Penske were quick to get up to speed however, with Josef Newgarden getting pole for the first race.
Team Penske Get Redemption
With their 2025 season marred by disqualifications, the loss of team personnel, and an unlucky streak, it’s been a season to forget for Team Penske.
However, the first race at Iowa brought the team, and drivers, redemption after their struggles early on this season.
Starting on pole, Newgarden led 232 laps – achieving an astounding total of over 2000 laps led at this circuit.
Whilst a slower final pit stop ultimately handed Pato O’Ward the win, Newgarden finished 2nd – his best of the season and a clear break from the poor performance he’s been having.
After a crash in qualifying that saw him start P27, Scott McLaughlin stormed through the pack.
Instead of saving fuel, he was attacking from the get go and by Lap 39, the Kiwi had already progressed to P16.
Momentum continued for McLaughlin, consistently overtaking as the race went on and he finished in 4th, just behind his Penske teammates.
Will Power rounded out the podium, making it a day to remember for the team.
Cautions and Red Flag
The first caution came on the initial start, when Colton Herta span as the field went green.
Oval tracks are famous for their high lines – the outer line of the track.
Last year, the high line at the Iowa Speedway was repaved; consequently making it harder for the drivers to run on the outer line.
The repaved line collects the tire marbles, providing less grip for the drivers.
The race saw 5 caution periods – 3 being caused by drivers losing grip on the high line.
Throughout the caution periods, sweepers were let onto the track, cleaning the high line to promote more running once green.
Nolan Siegel crashed on Lap 248, damaging the barrier.
With only 17 Laps remaining, the race was red flagged so the barrier could be repaired and the drivers could finish under green.
Rasmussen On A Charge
ECR’s Christian Rasmussen once again showed his pace and talent on short oval tracks.
The Danish driver qualified P19 but quickly made his way through the field, finishing P6 – gaining 13 positions in total.
Rasmussen has proven to be quick around ovals, with a top-10 finish at the Indy 500 and a podium at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500.
With another race tomorrow, and two more ovals to visit, will we see more from him?
A Win For Chevrolet and McLaren
Despite Newgarden leading the majority of the race, it was O’Ward who took victory.
It was the McLaren driver’s 100th race start and, having won here in 2022, he was hoping to return to the top step.
Having started P5, O’Ward capitalised on the restarts, making his way up to second after the second caution period.
Keeping pace with Newgarden, he was able to get ahead in the final pit stops and hold position.
This marks the first win for the Chevrolet-powered Arrow McLaren team of the season, and the first for the engine manufacturer.
The win also moves O’Ward to second in the championship, ahead of Kyle Kirkwood.
The top ten are as follows:
With 5 caution periods, a red flag, and a new winner, it was a race to remember. Despite O’Ward winning, it was Penske who shone with their best race of the season.
Can Team Penske continue their redemption in tomorrow’s second race?