James Hinchcliffe ended what has been a rough season for the popular Canadian driver with a big victory at the Iowa Speedway in Newton Iowa for the Iowa Corn 300. The 2018 racing season just has not been his year, especially missing the Indy 500 but maybe this win, which is his 6th career IndyCar victory, will help salvage his season. Most of the race had been dominated by Josef Newgarden who led 223 of the 300 laps, but as the old saying goes “It’s who is leading the last lap that counts.”
Will Power won the pole — his 52nd, and led early but teammate Newgarden took command of the race and definitely had the dominant car. Hinch was helped by a yellow light when, on lap 298, Ed Carpenter tagged Takuma Sato and banged the wall. Sato held on for a 3rd but the race finished under caution. Newgarden finished 4th, Spencer Pigot, who drives for Carpenter, got his first podium finish with a 2nd, Rookie Robert Wickens who is Hinch’s teammate finished 5th. Wickens seems to have the series “Rookie of the Year” award locked up. Will Power grabbed a 6th. Series point leader Scott Dixon experienced handling problems with his car and was not a factor. He finished 12th.
It was the first win of the season for Sam Schmidt and Schmidt/Peterson Racing. The team seems to have concentrated on building Wicken’s season so Hinch’s win was a real milestone in the season for them. Hinchcliffe thanked his crew and chief engineer Leena Gade for his win.
Next stop is Toronto, Ontario and the Exhibition Place street course for the Honda Toronto IndyCar event on July 15th.