Felix Rosenqvist finished the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America in 14th place, bringing his #60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda home in a fuel-saving exercise in round seven of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
In a race of many obstacles, Rosenqvist started 22nd following an off-track excursion in a wet qualifying session on Saturday that prevented the Swede from advancing past the opening rounds.
Rosenqvist managed to climb several positions on the opening laps of Sunday’s race, though, keeping out of trouble amid a flurry of early incidents and cautions.
That initial progress came undone on lap six, however, when Rosenqvist was hit by rival Sting Ray Robb at Turn 6 and dropped all the way back down to 25th. Robb was later penalized for the clash.
Pitting early in response to get off the Firestone alternate tyres, Rosenqvist then completed the rest of the race in fuel-save mode to try and avoid having to make an extra final pit stop, successfully reeling off a trio of 15-lap stints on a day when most rivals pitted for fresh tyres and fuel every 12-13 laps.
The effort ultimately proved enough for 14th place. Rosenqvist also led three laps while circling to the front on his alternate strategy.
”Unfortunately we got taken out in the beginning, and then we had to recover from the back of the field,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “We went off strategy, saving a lot of fuel, but ultimately we didn’t have enough pace to make it happen. P14, a very average result, but we move forward and look ahead to Laguna Seca. I think we were decently quick, but today just wasn’t our day.”
Rosenqvist now sits tenth in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings. The championship resumes with the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at Laguna Seca on June 21-23.
Rosenqvist will be back on track already on Tuesday, however, for a series test at the Milwaukee Mile oval.
RESULTS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 7
XPEL Grand Prix at Road America
Road America (USA)
1: Will Power (AUS), Penske, 55 laps
2: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, +3.260s
3: Scott McLaughlin (NZL), Penske, +8.014s
4: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, +16.711s
5: Kyle Kirkwood (USA), Andretti, +24.866s
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14: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Meyer Shank Racing, +59.241s
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | After 7/17 races
1: Will Power (AUS), Penske, 236 p.
2: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 231 p.
3: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, 225 p.
4: Pato O’Ward (MEX), Arrow McLaren, 184 p.
5: Scott McLaughlin (NZL), Penske, 179 p.
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10: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Meyer Shank Racing, 157 p.