Mexico’s O’Ward wins IndyCar Alabama title

Pato O’Ward of Mexico took the lead with 29 laps to go and held off defending champion Alex Palou of Spain to win the IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama on Sunday.

After victories last year in Texas and Detroit, O’Ward, who turns 23 on Friday, won his third career IndyCar race.

“I was tired of being 10th, 11th and fifth,” O’Ward said. “I said, ‘Let’s get a win so we can claw ourselves back into the championship fight.'”

Despite finishing second by 0.98 of a second over 90 laps on the 2.3-mile, 17-turn Barber Motorsports Park road track in Birmingham, Alabama, Palou took the season points lead with his third podium in four starts.

Rinus VeeKay, the pole sitter from the Netherlands, finished third behind O’Ward and Palou, ahead of Australian Will Power and Kiwis Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin.

VeeKay led for the first 60 laps and was still ahead of O’Ward when they pitted for the final time on lap 61.

However, O’Ward made the crucial pass of VeeKay on the outside of turn five as both cars were just getting back on the track.

Palou, the defending IndyCar champion, came out of his final pit stop two laps later in second place, but was unable to pass O’Ward in the closing circuits.

“We were fighting for the win. This is the chance,” O’Ward said of his passing VeeKay. “It was so tough to follow.

“I knew if I would have the opportunity it was right then and there. I got by him. I knew if I could get into clean air we could control the thing.”

Chevrolet-powered cars had won four races in a row so far this season.

The Grand Prix of Indianapolis road course event will take place on May 14, shortly before the start of practice for the Indianapolis 500 oval classic, which will take place on May 29.

For the latest Sports News Follow BOL News on Google News. Read more on Latest Sports News on oldsite.bolnews.com