Felix Rosenqvist bounced back from a heavy practice shunt to record a top 12 finish in the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, making up ground from the back of the field in round two of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES after sitting out qualifying.
Rosenqvist’s Arizona weekend got off to the worst possible start as he slammed the barriers early on in Friday’s opening practice session, causing substantial damage to his Meyer Shank Racing Honda.
While Rosenqvist escaped injury, the violent impact necessitated extensive car repairs, resulting in the Swede having to sit out the subsequent qualifying session.
“I lost the rear in Turn 2 and it was a big hit,” Felix Rosenqvist explains. “The team worked tirelessly to get the car back together, but it just wasn’t possible for qualifying. They did manage to get us out in time for final practice a few hours later, however, which in itself was a great job.”
As a consequence of missing qualifying, Rosenqvist was forced to start Saturday’s 250-lap race from the last row of the grid in 24th place.
Combining pace with patience, however, Rosenqvist staged a fine recovery to pass half the field on his way to 12th place in the first oval event of the campaign, earning him the Jostens Biggest Mover Award.
“We had a decent recovery,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “In the beginning of the race we were running really well. I lost a little bit of it in the end, as the car started to get a little loose and I couldn’t really figure out the balance. Not perfect, but given the circumstances we’ll take it. It’s been a tough start to the season but we will bounce back.”
Next up on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule is the new street race in Arlington, Texas, taking place in a week’s time (March 13-15).
RESULTS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 2
Good Ranchers 250
Phoenix Raceway (USA)
1: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, 250 laps
2: Kyle Kirkwood (USA), Andretti, +1.793s
3: David Malukas (USA), Penske, +2.841s
4: Pato O’Ward (MEX), McLaren, +3.931s
5: Marcus Armstrong (NZL), Meyer Shank Racing, +6.481s
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12: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Meyer Shank Racing, +17.213s
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Efter 2/18 race
1: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, 78 p.
2: Kyle Kirkwood (USA), Andretti, 73 p.
3: Scott McLaughlin (NZL), Penske, 66 p.
4: Pato O’Ward (MEX), McLaren, 63 p.
5: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 59 p.
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12: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Meyer Shank Racing, 36 p.