Pato O’Ward won the Honda Indy 200 at Mid‑Ohio, leading 45 of the 90 laps on the 2.258‑mile, 13‑turn course.
Arrow McLaren celebrates first 1‑2 finish in IndyCar
The 27‑year‑old secured his first podium of the year in the #5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, making the team’s inaugural 1‑2 finish in the series.
O’Ward had already recorded six top‑five finishes before the race but had never broken the top three; that changed when he overtook teammate Christian Lundgaard on lap 42.
“I was positioning myself to pounce on an opportunity whenever he would make a mistake,” O’Ward said, recalling Lundgaard’s slip at Turn 2 that opened the door for the decisive pass.
Flawless pit stops seal victory
O’Ward credited his crew for maintaining the lead after a perfect execution at the pits.
“They were phenomenal and gave me the best stops,” the driver added. “They truly allowed me to fight my way and keep my position while we were battling on track.”
His comments underscored the importance of a coordinated effort between driver and pit crew to secure the win.
Championship implications and future prospects
With the victory, O’Ward climbs to fifth in the standings, 94 points behind series leader Alex Palou.
He and the team remain optimistic about late‑season momentum, citing strong runs at Nashville, Portland, Markham, Washington, and Milwaukee as evidence of their potential to compete for the title.
O’Ward’s clean getaway, strategic pass, and pit‑crew precision inject a fresh surge of confidence as IndyCar’s final stretch approaches, setting the stage for another compelling showdown this season.
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