INDIANAPOLIS — Will Energy took the lead early Saturday, then watched it shrink over the ultimate half of the race earlier than holding on to win this season’s second Indianapolis Grand Prix.

The Australian, who began second, beat Romain Grosjean by 1.1142 seconds for his first win of the season.

Energy earned his fifth win on Indy’s 14-turn, 2.439-mile highway course. He led 56 of 85 laps and earned his thirty eighth profession victory, breaking a tie for fifth all-time with Al Unser.

“Lastly, lastly,” Energy shouted on the radio after crossing the yard of bricks and ending a 13-race victory drought.

Grosjean, the Swiss-born driver from France who received the pole within the season’s different highway race at Indy, matched his second-place end from Might’s race on the identical course.

People Colton Herta and Alexander Rossi had been third and fourth, whereas pole winner Pato O’Ward, of Mexico, wound up fifth.

For Energy, it was vindication after a rugged weekend at Nashville when he was concerned in a number of collisions, together with one with Staff Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin.

“We would have liked it,” Energy mentioned. “I am unable to let you know how good these guys have been this yr. They’ve given me a very good automobile and we have had some unhealthy luck, and I’ve made some errors as properly. Oh, what a aid, man.”

The crossover weekend is simply getting began. Xfinity drivers had been scheduled for a 150-mile race on the identical highway course later Saturday and Cup drivers will qualify Sunday morning earlier than working on the highway course for the Brickyard 200.

STRATEGY SESSION

After six-time collection champ Scott Dixon spun Chip Ganassi’s No. 9 Honda on his closing lap in qualifying, issues did not get any higher Saturday.

He began twenty sixth, within the second-to-last row, and the New Zealander thought he may make up floor on pit technique. It did not work. After being the primary driver onto pit row simply 10 laps into the race, Dixon wound up ending seventeenth in a race that had solely two yellow flags.

POINTS CHASE

Alex Palou appeared like he was going to pad his factors lead when he was working fourth with 17 laps to go – properly forward of second-place Scott Dixon. Then, instantly, a puff of smoke appeared from the again of the No. 10 Honda and the powerless automobile rolled to a cease.

“It is a disgrace while you’re working so good,” Palou mentioned.

With the Spaniard ending twenty seventh within the 28-car discipline, everyone else made up floor. O’Ward handed Dixon for second, 21 factors behind. Dixon, who began with a 42-point deficit, now trails by 34, and two-time collection champ Josef Newgarden remained fourth, 55 factors behind.

UP NEXT

The collection returns to motion subsequent Saturday in suburban St. Louis – its third straight race weekend since taking a one-month break.