By Phillip Schmitz, Staff Writer
The opening three races of the NTT IndyCar Season haven’t gone to plan for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, but a sixth place finish for Christian Lundgaard in the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park gives the team something positive going into the Month of May.
The driver of the No. 45 HyVee Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda started sixth and stayed around that position for the majority of race.
Telling NBC Sports after the checkered flag, Lundgaard said: ”Hell of a long race, we had a really good start, and it went a little downhill after that.”
One key part of the 21-year old Dane being able to stay up front came with the help of his pit crew.
“The 45 HyVee Honda crew did an amazing job today, I think all the stops were the best we’ve had all season,” he said.
It’s been no secret that Rahal Letterman Lanigan has been struggling this season, but Lundgaard has been the team’s bright spot, netting two of the organization’s three top-10 finishes thus far. The first of which came at the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with a ninth place result.
“We took a big step forward, just looking at my overtake on Scott (Dixon). These were the kind moves we had to get done today. I knew I had to be aggressive.”
Sunday’s result couldn’t happen at a better time for Lundgaard with the GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway up next. The infield road course is a place that he’s had good success in the past, with having his best career result of second place last year.
“I’m excited to race at my second home, I live in Indy. To get to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is just special. We’ll see if we can get another podium there.”
Lundgaard will look to finish one spot better in two weekends, at the expense of his mustache, which he plans to shave after his first career IndyCar win.
The GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is scheduled for May 13th on NBC.
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