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“Crying out loud”: Will Power finally breathes freely after Newgarden and McLaughlin aid strong IndyCar result at Iowa

“Crying out loud”: Will Power finally breathes freely after Newgarden and McLaughlin aid strong IndyCar result at Iowa

kavilhoang
kavilhoang
Posted underFootball

The Iowa Speedway, often dubbed the “fastest short track on the planet,” roared to life on July 12, 2025, as the IndyCar Series rolled into Newton for its only doubleheader weekend of the season. For Team Penske, the Synk 275 powered by Sukup was more than just another race—it was a moment of redemption, a chance to silence doubters, and a display of sheer determination that left fans buzzing with excitement. After a season marred by setbacks, crashes, and controversy, the trio of Josef Newgarden, Will Power, and Scott McLaughlin delivered a performance that reminded everyone why Penske remains a powerhouse in IndyCar racing.

The 2025 season had not been kind to Team Penske. Coming off a turbulent start, the team faced a barrage of challenges, from disqualifications to crashes that tested their resolve. Josef Newgarden, a two-time Indy 500 winner and Iowa Speedway’s undisputed king with six career victories at the track, had endured a brutal stretch. Finishes of 25th, 25th, and 27th in his last three races painted a grim picture for the driver who once swept the Iowa doubleheader in 2023. Will Power, the veteran with a knack for consistency, was reeling from a first-corner crash at Mid-Ohio that took him out of contention. Scott McLaughlin, the Kiwi sensation, faced his own demons after a devastating qualifying crash at Iowa left him starting dead last in Race 1. Yet, on this warm July evening, the stars aligned for Penske, and the team delivered a result that had fans on their feet and social media alight with praise.

The stage was set with Newgarden on pole for Race 1, his blistering lap at 183.999 MPH signaling his intent to reclaim his Iowa crown. The .894-mile tri-oval has long been Penske’s playground, with the team claiming eight of the last ten races at the track, including a 2024 sweep by Power and McLaughlin and Newgarden’s 2023 doubleheader dominance. But this year, the stakes felt higher. A partial repave of the track had altered its character, making it a fresh challenge even for a driver like Newgarden, who has led an astonishing 1,847 laps at Iowa. Could he fend off a hungry field led by McLaren’s Pato O’Ward and championship leader Alex Palou? The answer would unfold in a race that was as much about strategy as it was about speed.

From the green flag, Newgarden took command, leading 232 of the 275 laps in a masterclass of oval racing. His No. 2 Team Penske Chevy was a rocket, pulling away from Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Conor Daly and Palou early on. But the race wasn’t without drama. A caution on Lap 75, triggered by Jacob Abel’s crash in Turn 2, shuffled the field during pit stops. Newgarden held his lead, but O’Ward and Palou stayed within striking distance. Meanwhile, McLaughlin, starting from the back after his qualifying mishap, was carving through the field with surgical precision. By Lap 15, he had climbed to 22nd, and by the time the yellow flag waved, he was already in 14th. The Kiwi’s charge was nothing short of miraculous, a testament to Team Penske’s overnight efforts to rebuild his car after the crash.

As the race neared its climax, the pit strategy became the deciding factor. Newgarden pitted under green, a move that seemed poised to secure his first win of the season. But O’Ward, in his 100th IndyCar start, executed a flawless overcut, emerging from the pits ahead of Newgarden. The McLaren driver held firm through a nine-lap sprint to the finish, fending off Newgarden to claim his second victory of 2025. Newgarden settled for second, a result that stung but marked his second podium of the season. Behind him, Will Power drove a steady race to finish third, his experience shining through as he navigated traffic and avoided mistakes. And then there was McLaughlin, who, against all odds, crossed the line in fourth, just shy of a podium sweep for Penske. The team’s 2-3-4 finish was a statement—a reminder that even in their darkest moments, they could rise to the occasion.

The significance of this result cannot be overstated. For Will Power, the race was a moment of relief after a season of frustration. “Crying out loud,” he reportedly said, marveling at McLaughlin’s recovery from the back of the grid. Power’s own podium finish was a return to form, a chance to breathe freely after weeks of setbacks. For Newgarden, the second-place finish was bittersweet but a step toward reclaiming his status as one of IndyCar’s elite. And for McLaughlin, the fourth-place result was a triumph of resilience, earning him the biggest mover award and the admiration of fans who watched him defy the odds.

The Iowa Speedway has always been a place where Penske thrives, but this year’s Race 1 showed something more—a team united in adversity. The synergy between Newgarden, Power, and McLaughlin was palpable, each driver pushing the others to perform at their best. Off the track, the team’s mechanics and engineers worked tirelessly to give McLaughlin a fighting chance after his qualifying crash. Their efforts paid off, turning a potential disaster into one of the weekend’s most compelling stories. Fans on social media couldn’t stop talking about it, with posts praising McLaughlin’s “sensational recovery” and Penske’s “near-perfect” performance flooding platforms like X.

But the weekend wasn’t over. Race 2, the Farm to Finish 275, loomed the next day, and with it, another chance for Penske to dominate. Unfortunately, luck turned against them. McLaughlin’s race ended almost before it began, as contact with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Devlin DeFrancesco on Lap 2 sent him to a 26th-place finish. Power, too, struggled, losing power in his No. 12 Chevy and limping home in 24th. Newgarden, who led 72 laps, was caught out by a poorly timed caution caused by Marcus Ericsson’s crash on Lap 131, dropping him to 10th. The contrast between the two races was stark, but it only highlighted the brilliance of their Saturday performance.

For fans, the Iowa doubleheader was a rollercoaster of emotions. The track, nestled in the heart of Newton, Iowa, drew thousands for Free Family Friday and the races, with local heroes like Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson and former Iowa football star Jay Higgins serving as Grand Marshals. The atmosphere was electric, amplified by the unpredictability of a repaved track and the fierce competition among IndyCar’s top teams. While Alex Palou’s victory in Race 2 solidified his championship lead, it was Team Penske’s Saturday showcase that stole the spotlight.

What makes this story resonate is the human element—the grit, the teamwork, and the refusal to give up. Team Penske’s 2025 season has been a test of character, from the fallout of a push-to-pass scandal to the string of crashes that threatened to derail their campaign. Yet, at Iowa, they showed why they remain a force to be reckoned with. Newgarden’s pole, Power’s podium, and McLaughlin’s charge from last to fourth were not just results—they were a declaration that Penske is still in the fight.

As the IndyCar season rolls on, the Iowa doubleheader will be remembered as a turning point for Team Penske. For fans, it’s a reason to stay glued to the series, eager to see if this iconic team can build on their momentum. One thing is certain: when the checkered flag falls, Penske’s drivers will be ready to chase victory, no matter the odds.