Birmingham, United States--American Josef Newgarden held off hard-charging Graham Rahal on Sunday to win the IndyCar Alabama Grand Prix, his first career victory in the US open-wheel racing series.
Newgarden, driving a CFH Racing Chevrolet, led for a race-high 46 laps, including the final 21 on the 2.3-mile (3.7 km), 17-turn Barber Motorsports Park course.
"The car, the team made it easy on me," Newgarden said. "They deserve the victory. Let's go to the next one and try to do it again."
Rahal, in a Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, overtook New Zealander Scott Dixon -- last weekend's race winner in Long Beach -- for second place on the final lap, but couldn't get past Newgarden and took second, 2.2 seconds adrift.
"The Honda did a great job for me today," Rahal said. "I passed a lot of guys and I hope everyone enjoyed the race because we were pushing to the last seconds. A few more laps and I think we would have had him."
Newgarden, 24, scored his maiden IndyCar victory in his 55th career start.
He became the fourth different winner in as many races this season.
CFH Racing is a new team in IndyCar this season. Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing and Ed Carpenter Racing merged to form the team during the offseason.
Three-time IndyCar champion Dixon ended up third, his sixth podium finish in six races at Barber -- although he has never won at the Alabama circuit.
Reigning IndyCar champion Will Power of Australia finished fourth.
Ryan Hunter-Reay, who won the past two editions of the race, was fifth.
Pole-sitter Helio Castroneves faded to 15th, one place behind Penske team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya, who maintained his lead in the standings by three points over Castroneves going into the May 9 Grand Prix of Indianapolis.
AFP
