Alabama 2024: McLaughlin-Power, it's a Penske double. 21st Ghiotto | FP

The great recovery

In the last week the team Penske had become the center of controversy due to the disqualification and sanctions imposed on its drivers for the incorrect use of push-to-pass in the opening race of the season in St.Petersburg. The team was therefore called to recover for the third round of the championship at Barber Motorsport Park, in Alabamawith the US team's most desired result taking shape: one double. The one who climbed to the top step of the podium was Scott McLaughlincuriously a year after his last success in IndyCar in Alabama, followed by his teammate Will Power and from a rookie like Linus Lundqvistauthor of a phenomenal comeback combined with an impeccable strategy created by Chip Ganassi.

Race report

McLaughlin and Power dominated almost the entire race from the start to the checkered flag, maintaining first and second positions respectively in a GP characterized by many contacts and off-track exits. The first demonstration came on the 6th lap, with the Peace Car came into action due to a collision with the barriers by Fittipaldi, who lost control of his car after contact with O'Ward, who was then penalized with a drive through. In this circumstance, many drivers, except the leading ones, immediately opted for the first pit stop, including Alex Palou, 4th behind Lundgaard. Error on the restart for Dixon, like many others he ended up in the gravel at the exit of turn 5 and slipped to the back of the group. The winner of the last race in Long Beach also for this reason lost the opportunity to defend his leadership in the championship. Power also deceived the curve on lap 23, with Lundgaard taking advantage of the mistake to move into second place. Shortly after, there it is before the three total stops not only for the Dane, but also for the Penske McLaughlin-Power driver duo, with the New Zealander remaining virtually at the top of the standings. What happened halfway through the race was incredible, not just for the second Caution due to the tire lost by Rossi after the pit stop, but also due to the sensational fall of a driver on the track mannequin.