Australia's Will Power clinched victory in the second race of IndyCar's Iowa Speedway double-header on Sunday, marking a dramatic finish as backmarker Sting Ray Robb was involved in a frightening last-lap crash that sent his car airborne. Power narrowly defeated series points leader Alex Palou by 0.3915 seconds, delivering Team Penske their second win in as many days. Scott McLaughlin, Power's teammate and the winner of the first race on Saturday night, secured third place in this intense competition.
Power expressed immense relief and joy after his long-awaited victory. Despite having started from pole position seven times in his 18 prior appearances, he had only managed to secure five podium finishes, including four runner-up spots, with the most recent just last year. This win also marked Power's first triumph on an oval track in nearly five years, bringing his total oval victories to ten. Reflecting on his determination, Power shared with NBC that he had entered this season with a strong resolve to win on an oval and achieve multiple race victories.
At 43 years old, Power, who previously claimed IndyCar championships in 2014 and 2022, demonstrated remarkable resilience by climbing from the 22nd starting position. He overtook Palou during the final pit stop exchange under green flag conditions. This win not only gave him his second victory of the season but also allowed him to narrow Palou's lead in the standings to 35 points with six races remaining. However, the celebration was cut short by the dramatic events that unfolded at the rear of the field.
Robb's car collided with the slowing vehicle of Alexander Rossi, causing it to flip and come to rest upside down, involving Ed Carpenter and Kyle Kirkwood in the crash. Fortunately, Carpenter, Kirkwood, and Rossi all emerged from their cars with the help of safety workers. Robb, though taken on a stretcher to the on-site medical center, gave a reassuring thumbs-up. IndyCar's medical director, Julia Vaizer, confirmed Robb was in good condition but would be sent to the hospital for precautionary checks, stating, "Sting Ray's doing well. He's awake, he's alert, he's in good condition."
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