4 Takeaways From Christian Lundgaard’s Worst-To-First Win At Road America

Christian Lundgaard seemed as surprised as anyone that he won Sunday at Road America.

After all, he ran into the back of Scott Dixon on the opening lap. So to go from worst-to-first is not something, as he said, would have on a “bingo card” for the race on the longest circuit on the INDYCAR schedule, which meant a relatively short race when it comes to laps with just a 55-lap race on the 4.014-mile course.

“I knew we were going to be fighting for a top-10 regardless, just from the pace that we had,” the Arrow McLaren No. 7 driver said in the news conference after his second win of the season. “I didn’t really expect it to be a win.”

Here are my takeaways from Road America:

1. Lundgaard Earns Big Victory

Lundgaard didn’t win at all last year in his first year at Arrow McLaren, so to earn two victories in 10 races this season is a huge step, especially for a driver who still isn’t signed yet for the 2027 season.

“I feel like we’ve done so well on the road courses this year, which we did last year,” Lundgaard said. “Many of them [last year] fell quick. To this point this yr, we have type of simply picked up the items and gained.”

2. Malukas Making an attempt To Be Optimistic

David Malukas earned his third runner-up end in his final six begins, partly as a result of he had sufficient tempo (he began second) and half as a result of the warning got here out twice after he pitted, serving to along with his monitor place.

The race featured a one-lap sprint to the end after a late warning, however Malukas had nothing for Lundgaard.

“P2 champions,” Malukas mentioned in his postrace information convention in referring to his latest second-place finishes. “That is been the story of this season.

“Massive, huge kudos to this staff as a result of that race … was insane. I did not even know what was happening. Subsequent factor you realize we’re P2.”

David Malukas completed simply out of the highest spot but once more on Sunday. 

Malukas additionally has one other second — he’s second within the collection standings, 60 factors behind chief Alex Palou, who completed fifth on Sunday.

3. Energy-Rahal Tangle

Will Energy turned Graham Rahal as Rahal tried to maintain Energy from passing him for third on the ultimate lap.

Race stewards dominated that there can be no penalty for avoidable contact, permitting Energy to stay in third and Rahal ending twenty third.

“It was unlucky there — I used to be braking and he was braking and he simply jerked to the left,” Energy mentioned in his postrace information convention. “I do not perceive why that was. It took me without warning, clearly, and that is what triggered that.

“It’s a pity. … From my perspective, I couldn’t do something. I used to be on the capability of braking.”

Energy has had a tough season with 5 races the place he has led races however had no podium finishes. Rahal indicated that it was typical Energy aggression.

“It was simply Energy being Energy,” Rahal mentioned in a staff information launch. “I had each proper to maneuver to the appropriate on the finish of the brake zone. Individuals can say that I got here again to the left, however he bumped into the again of my automobile — he wasn’t even subsequent to me. It’s irritating to not have the ability to get the consequence that I felt like we deserved.”

4. Armstrong Noticed Win Slip Away

Marcus Armstrong nonetheless seeks his first win after a race the place he led 14 laps and was main with 4 laps remaining when his engine blew.

It was one other so shut, but to date for a driver who’s now eleventh within the collection standings.

Armstrong indicated that there was no indication that there was a difficulty with the engine earlier than it expired.

“I’m simply gutted, actually,” Armstrong mentioned in a staff information launch.

Honda engineers will have a look and see what occurred. The Chevy groups proceed to be tormented by engine woes due to a valve coating situation with 4 groups having to exchange engines over the Street America weekend.

4 ½. What’s Subsequent: Mid-Ohio

The INDYCAR groups have a weekend off earlier than a July 4 vacation weekend journey to Mid-Ohio, one other one of many historic highway programs on the circuit.

Scott Dixon gained the race final yr after a late-race mistake by Alex Palou on the two.258-mile course.