Three hundred «corn» circles IndyCar racers had to overcome in the struggle for victory in the 11th stage and the points in the championship. After the race «Iowa Corn 300» Juan Pablo Montoya almost lost hope to win the title this season, and Mikhail Aleshin, on the contrary, the spirit soared after a series of setbacks, finishing fifth. Joseph Nyugarden, winning the race, took second place in the championship, and the leadership of Simon Pagenaud no longer seems so stable.
It is not the old oval track in the US state of corn according to the picture and comments is not in the best condition. Before the race it patched using the patch, which flew under changing weather conditions. Previously, drivers complained about the large number of bumps that up to the end and could not be removed. Hummocks on the oval — something pretty dangerous considering what speed to develop the car on the track. Despite the super popular in the US racing somewhat surprised empty seats in the stands. European audience is sometimes difficult to understand the charm of watching the race in a circle, so even a very short range. The length of the oval in Iowa is only 1.4 km, so the back of the field was «biting its tail» is already the second ten laps. However, even on an oval IndyCar race looked far more interesting and dynamic than what showed to score all the grandstand spectators at Silverstone pilots and the management of «Formula 1».
One of the main strategic objectives of the oval — to choose the right time for a pit stop. And given the very intricate rules of «Indy» for stops in oval racing, pit stops turn into a lottery. Ideally, when the pit stop have the appearance of yellow flags, and the pilot is in a circle with the leader. In this case, he gets preferential check-in to the mechanics, while the rest have to be dragged behind a safety-car. Also, the yellow flags can cause a change in the schedule refueling. In this case, the «confusion» creates a real intrigue to short circuit, and could easily knock out the contenders for the victory of the schedule. Well, what was the fight for the podium until the last lap, making «Indy» even on an oval interesting competition.
The victory in qualifying went to championship leader Simone Pazheno, but Joseph did not leave Nyugarden opponent no chance of winning. After starting Nyugarden took the lead and did not let it for 282 (out of 300) laps than set a record.
The first hundred laps were quite easy. If Nyugarden even after stopping quickly regained the lead, then for a place in the top ten behind it was a close contest. Max Chilton, which is good qualified, had a chance, if not repeat the success of Rossi winning the race, then finish it among the leaders. It is also very necessary to the podium was Juan Pablo Montoya, who is rapidly losing even a mathematical chance of winning the championship. Pagenaud, on the contrary, it was necessary to act cautiously enough: descent of the race or finish in the tail would make his lead in the championship is already reachable in the next race. On the other hand, catching up with him Nyugardenu, Power and Dixon was very important to finish among the leaders.
On lap 108 the machine Ryan Hunter-Ray effectively with smoke and flames coming out of the engine failure. On the track the safety car appeared. On the 129-lap race resumed and Nyugarden was ahead. Engine failure on Montoya's car had a 179-lap, and fell just on the next wave of pit stops.
Here began mess. Hélio Castroneves before Pazhno fought for second place, but under yellow flags lost two laps and the chances for a successful performance. The third «lull» in the race called Max Chilton.
His car suddenly turn led to, and the pilot was unable to do anything about it. It happened just at the time when the last planned pit stops. Only five riders, including Mikhail Aleshin, were at that time in one lap with the leader. They have an advantage in the conduct of pit stops. After the green flag Nyugarden quickly outlined his separation from his pursuers, but in place of the second to fourth a struggle until the last laps. Scott Dixon passed rivals and moved to the fourth position in the second, but still lost to her Will Power. Mikhail Aleshin was fifth and almost did not take part in the fight for the podium at the end of the race, but he had a comfortable lead of all pilots on their way back.
Mikhail Aleshin was satisfied conducted weekend. His fifth place was the best result for vehicles with engine Honda. «It really is a very good result. Despite the fact that we go to the engines» Honda ", which on many routes far behind" Chevrolet ", we have been able to impose the good fight. We were the best in the" Honda "and showed that our motors perfectly. competitive Not only would a dozen laps — and we would be in the top three, the speed allowed I hope that bad luck streak ended, and now the luck will turn to us thanks to all the fans who believed and believe. "-. Russian pilot told by the end of the race.
For Simon Pazhno position in the championship a little aggravated, but his leadership is still steadily: from the nearest pursuers Simon separates 73 points. Starting from the second line and the sixth gaps are not great. In coming second in the championship Nyugardena 336 points, while the owner of the sixth position, Tony Kanaan 306. Mikhail Aleshin scored 199 points in the championship and holds currently 17th place out of 34.
The next stage on the street circuit IndyCar Series will hold in Canada in Toronto on July 17.
Photo: Chris Jones, Chris Owens, Shawn Gritzmacher, screenshots translation
