Josef Newgarden avoided the first lap melee that saw Will Power and Scott Dixon collide, and then lucked in with the timing of a caution period to assume the lead around the streets of Toronto, a lead he would never then let go of.
The Team Penske driver secured his second victory of the season to move with 23-points of Dixon in the championship standings with five races remaining, but he thanked his strategist Tim Cindric for calling him into the pits at the right time, just as Tony Kanaan was heading into the turn one tyre wall.
With the leading drivers having not yet stopped, and with the pits closed behind immediately the caution period was called, Newgarden assumed the lead once the drivers at the front made their stop, and from there on he knew it was a case of managing the race, but the young American did so with perfection, eventually closing out the result 1.8704 seconds clear of Alexander Rossi.
“I think that is twice I have had good calls and got into the pits at the right time,” said Newgarden. “Thank you to the guys and thank you to Tim (Cindric) for making that call. We got it right, but it was all about managing the race after that.
“I thought we had a very fast car, we got a pretty good start, and stayed out of the mayhem. Very, very happy for all of Team Penske, and this DeVilbiss Chevy was pretty bright, but it was pretty fast too.
“I am pumped for all the No. 2 car guys today, they did an amazing job for Team Penske today.”
