The lap 1 caution kinda screwed the frontrunners who started on primaries (Scotty Mac, FRO, Lundgaard) and made it more of a fuel save two-stop race than was intended, but the strategy played out well enough to make things interesting at the end. If everyone had to get their alternate tire stint done under green I think it would’ve been a bit more racey. Speaking of which, they certainly fell off a ton, but maybe too much too soon. They were essentially a qualifying tire and a ‘joker’ tire during the race. I think they need to be more viable deeper into a stint to make things interesting.
Palou once again drove a phenomenal race, despite an okay qualifying effort, and continues to set the bar. If he stays in IndyCar long enough it’s conceivable he could end up the GOAT with the pace he’s at.
Pato going from P23 >> P11 after getting a puncture during the lap 1 incident and VeeKay finishing P9 for Coyne, after making the Fast 12 on Saturday, put together great runs back in the pack.
Great crowd all three days as well, full grandstands and tons of foot traffic all throughout the circuit.