INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma Tag

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer SONOMA, California — Welcome to the Verizon IndyCar Series, rookies. The Harding Racing duo of Colton Herta and Patricio O’Ward exceeded expectations in their debuts on Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. Both drivers finished on the lead lap, with O’Ward finishing ninth and Herta coming home 20th. Race strategist Brian Barnhart was proud of both by bringing his entries home with a clean car and lead lap finishes, stating that it was crucial of allowing the duo an opportunity to compete at the highest level before theRead More

By Josh Farmer, Contributing Journalist SONOMA, California – Determination, resilience, humility. Those three words best describe five-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon has he hoists yet another Astor Cup. The 38-year-old New Zealander already etched himself into Indy car racing history this year by passing Michael Andretti for third on the all-time win list. The driver of the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing started second in today’s race at Sonoma Raceway and ran in the tire tracks of race winner Ryan Hunter-Reay the entire day. ChampionshipRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer SONOMA, California — Ryan Hunter-Reay put in a dominating performance en route to victory in the Verizon IndyCar Series season finale at Sonoma Raceway. After starting on pole, the pilot of the No. 28 Andretti Autosport Honda led 80 of 85 laps and beat newly-crowned five time series champion Scott Dixon by 2.7573 second in the finale INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma. It marked Hunter-Reay’s 18th Indy car victory and became the third drought he snapped this weekend. His pole from Saturday marked his first sinceRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer SONOMA, California — Alexander Rossi fell short of capturing his first Verizon IndyCar Series championship, but he made sure to go down fighting in the season finale at Sonoma Raceway. The 26-year-old Californian’s day began on the wrong foot after a cut right front tire on the opening lap set him back for the remainder of the 85-lap contest. Although he rebounded to finish seventh in Sunday’s INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma, the outcome left second in the overall standings, 57 points behind newly crowned championRead More

By INDYCAR SONOMA, California – Ryan Hunter-Reay knew what he had to do to win the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma. Scott Dixon knew what was needed to wrap up a fifth Verizon IndyCar Series championship. Mission accomplished on both fronts. Hunter-Reay led 80 of 85 laps at Sonoma Raceway in a commanding performance to win the 2018 season finale from the pole position. Dixon started second and finished there, which was more than enough to secure the season crown. “Man, this is so awesome!” said Dixon, whose five championshipsRead More

By Josh Farmer, Contributing Journalist SONOMA, California – Scott Dixon may have lost the battle in qualifying, but he is focusing on winning the war against Alexander Rossi in tomorrow’s IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma. The driver of the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing was poised for his first Verizon P1 award of the year, but was bumped off the pole by Rossi’s Andretti Autosport teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay at the very last minute. Rossi would qualify sixth. Without earning the bonus point for winning the pole, Dixon’sRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer SONOMA, California — Neither of the IndyCar Series title contenders scored bonus points as Ryan Hunter-Reay snatched the Verizon P1 Pole Award for the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway Saturday. For the three drivers who are hunting down points leader Scott Dixon, their tasks became increasingly difficult after the New Zealander’s qualifying effort. He’ll start alongside Hunter-Reay in second, with Josef Newgarden following as the highest of the chasing trio after qualifying third. The reigning series champion kept his strong pace from FridayRead More

By Josh Farmer, Contributing Journalist SONOMA, California – Life just keeps getting better for Verizon IndyCar Series rookie Patricio ‘Pato’ O’ Ward. Two weeks removed from claiming the 2018 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tire championship, O’Ward qualified fifth for his first Verizon IndyCar Series race in tomorrow’s IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma. The result has the 19-year-old from Monterrey, Mexico surrounded by former series champions, Indianapolis 500 winners and in the middle of a championship fight heading into his first IndyCar race. “I honestly don’t know what to think aboutRead More

By INDYCAR SONOMA, California – Practice day at the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma did little to suggest a favorite among the four remaining contenders for the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series championship. After two practices Friday in preparation for the season finale at Sonoma Raceway, points leader Scott Dixon was third on the combined-session timesheet. He was sandwiched by Team Penske teammates Josef Newgarden and Will Power, each 87 points behind the four-time champion and holding glimmering hopes for the title. Alexander Rossi, 29 points out of the lead, cameRead More

By Josh Farmer, Contributing Journalist SONOMA, California – Scott Dixon’s unblemished championship run looked even better during Friday’s opening practice sessions for the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma. The driver of the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing ended the day behind fellow title rival and reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden. Dixon, who holds a 29-point lead over Alexander Rossi heading into Sunday’s race, noted that the lack of grip on the 2.385-mile road course made finding an ideal setup quite challenging. “I think everybody hasRead More