O'Ward Triumphs Over Newgarden in Iowa Speedway Chaos

Pato O’Ward Secures First IndyCar Victory of the Season at Iowa Speedway

On July 12, Pato O’Ward claimed his first victory of the 2025 IndyCar season at the Iowa Speedway. The race, known as the Synk 275 powered by Sukup, saw O’Ward narrowly edge out Josef Newgarden in a thrilling finish. O’Ward completed the race with an average time of 1:46:00.6760, while Newgarden finished just 0.2352 seconds behind in second place. Will Power rounded out the podium in third.

Race Highlights and Key Moments

The race was marked by several critical incidents and strategic moves that shaped the outcome. One of the most significant events occurred on Lap 258 when Nolan Siegel crashed into the wall, prompting a red flag to allow for repairs to the SAFER barrier. Earlier in the race, on Lap 248, Siegel had already been involved in an incident, which led to a yellow flag being shown. These incidents highlighted the challenges of racing on the oval track, where even minor mistakes can have major consequences.

On Lap 233, Newgarden made a pit stop while leading, and other drivers, including O’Ward and Scott McLaughlin, followed suit on Lap 235. This strategy played a key role in shaping the final standings. Throughout the race, the leaderboard remained fluid, with drivers constantly moving up and down the ranks based on their performance and pit strategies.

Qualifying Results and Starting Grid

Josef Newgarden secured the pole position in qualifying with a speed of 183.999 mph. Conor Daly and Felix Rosenqvist followed closely behind, while Pato O’Ward started in fifth place. However, Scott McLaughlin faced a setback during qualifying when he crashed into the wall on his first lap, forcing him to start at the back of the grid.

The race featured several notable performances. On Lap 120, O’Ward moved up to second place, while Conor Daly re-entered the top three. By Lap 170, Alex Palou had climbed into third, and by Lap 190, Will Power had advanced to fourth. Throughout the race, the competition remained intense, with drivers like Christian Rasmussen and Scott McLaughlin making steady progress through the field.

Race Updates and Leaderboard Changes

As the race progressed, the leaderboard continued to shift. On Lap 85, Conor Daly dropped a few positions after a pit stop, but he quickly regained ground. Later, on Lap 153, Kyle Kirkwood crashed into the wall, causing another yellow flag. Similarly, on Lap 75, Jacob Abel suffered a crash in Turn 2, further adding to the drama of the event.

By Lap 140, the top five remained largely unchanged, with Newgarden leading the field. As the race neared its conclusion, O’Ward and Newgarden engaged in a fierce battle for the lead, with O’Ward ultimately holding off his rival to claim the win.

IndyCar Schedule and Broadcast Information

The Iowa Speedway hosted two races on July 12 and 13, 2025. The first race took place on Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Fox, with coverage provided by Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe, and Townsend Bell. The second race on Sunday started at 1 p.m. ET, also on Fox. Fans could stream the races on FoxSports.com or via the Fox Sports app.

For those who prefer to listen, coverage was available on IndyCar Nation (SiriusXM Channel 218), IndyCar Live, and the IndyCar Radio Network.

2025 IndyCar Series Schedule

The 2025 season features 17 races, all televised on Fox. Key events include the St. Petersburg Grand Prix, the Thermal Grand Prix, the Long Beach Grand Prix, and the Indianapolis 500. The Iowa races were held on July 12 and 13, with the second race starting at 1 p.m. ET.

Top Drivers and Championship Standings

The championship standings reflect a competitive season, with Alex Palou leading the points race with 430 points. Other top contenders include Kyle Kirkwood, Pato O’Ward, and Scott Dixon. The drivers competing this season represent a mix of established names and rising stars, with teams such as Team Penske, Andretti Global, and Arrow McLaren fielding strong entries.

Conclusion

Pato O’Ward’s victory at Iowa Speedway marks a significant milestone in his career and sets the tone for the remainder of the 2025 season. With close competition and unpredictable moments, the race demonstrated the high level of skill and strategy required in IndyCar racing. As the season progresses, fans can expect more exciting races and dramatic finishes.