Christian Lundgaard Charges From Last to First To Win at Road America

Christian Lundgaard inquired of his Arrow McLaren team via radio, echoing the sentiments of many, after he crossed the finish line Sunday at the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America Presented by AMR.

“How did we do that?” Lundgaard asked his pit crew, astonished.

Lundgaard employed strategy, speed, and a touch of luck to ascend from last place in the 25-car lineup, following contact on Lap 1, to secure his second victory of the season in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. The race concluded under caution when Graham Rahal spun into the gravel outside Canada Corner after colliding with Will Power during a one-lap restart while contesting third place.

This victory marked Lundgaard’s third career win in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, adding to his triumphs in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course with Arrow McLaren and in 2023 on the streets of Toronto with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

“I knew we had a chance,” Lundgaard remarked regarding their winning prospects after the early incident. “I remembered how last year’s race unfolded, and I knew the key was to stay in the race. Last year, I made several mistakes that cost us, and I was determined to rectify that.

“We faced challenges all weekend, so turning this around is a testament to the team’s efforts.”

David Malukas secured second place in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, marking his third runner-up finish of the season as he pursues his first career win. Power finished third in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda, equaling his best result in his inaugural season with Andretti Global.

Kyffin Simpson achieved a season-best fourth in the No. 8 Sunoco Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, with points leader and four-time series champion Alex Palou completing the top five in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Lundgaard, who began in 12th position, took the lead for the second and final time on Lap 52 of the 55-lap race when leader Marcus Armstrong’s No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Honda experienced mechanical issues. Armstrong had a 2.787-second lead with five laps remaining before mechanical failure dashed his hopes for a first career victory.

Armstrong’s car lost power in Turn 5 on Lap 53, prompting a caution period and a one-lap sprint to the finish.

Lundgaard remained unchallenged by Malukas on the final lap around the 14-turn, 4.014-mile course, as most attention shifted to the intense battle for third between veterans Power and Rahal. Power, leveraging a speed advantage, attempted to overtake Rahal on the outside at the back straight’s end, resulting in contact and Rahal’s No. 15 MSC Industrial Supply Honda spinning into the gravel, concluding the race.

The race was a thrilling spectacle, marked by diverse tire strategies and fierce competition for nearly every position. Yet, nothing was more exhilarating or unexpected than Lundgaard’s ascent to victory.

On the first lap, Lundgaard collided with Scott Dixon in Turn 1, damaging his car’s left front wing and deflating a Firestone Firehawk tire. He pitted on Lap 2 for repairs, with Arrow McLaren strategists quickly adapting their tactics.

Lundgaard first claimed the lead on Lap 43 when Armstrong, Malukas, and Rahal made their final pit stops from the top three positions.

The Danish driver led Rosenqvist by 11.720 seconds on Lap 45 before his final pit stop, where the Arrow McLaren team efficiently refueled and fitted four Firestone Firehawk alternate tires in 7.1 seconds.

This substantial lead allowed Lundgaard to rejoin the race in second place behind Armstrong, just ahead of Malukas, who had fresher tires and overtook Lundgaard for second on Lap 46.

Josef Newgarden made his final stop from the lead on Lap 49 in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet, relinquishing the lead back to Armstrong, who was 3.671 seconds ahead of Malukas.

Meanwhile, Lundgaard reclaimed second from Malukas on Lap 49, with Armstrong nearly three seconds ahead. Armstrong’s quest for victory ended as his power waned, allowing Lundgaard to seize the lead on Lap 52.

“It was all smooth sailing,” a disappointed Armstrong stated. “I exited Turn 6, and the engine began sputtering as if out of fuel, but it wasn’t. Then it just completely failed. There was no warning of any issue.”

Pole sitter Palou led 13 laps, but his hopes for a fourth Road America victory were dashed by a pit lane speeding penalty on Lap 29. The penalty relegated Palou to 22nd, but he mounted a remarkable comeback over the final 25 laps.

Palou leads second-place Malukas by 60 points and third-place Kyle Kirkwood, who finished 10th, by 61 points in the standings. Lundgaard is fourth, trailing Palou by 77 points.