INDIANAPOLIS – The Sonsio Grand Prix began with a multiple-car crash in Turn 1. Felix Rosenqvist, Pato O’Ward, Scott Dixon and Caio Collet all came to a stop on the first lap after Rosenqvist’s No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda appeared to lock up going into the turn.
The race went to a caution, and all four drivers were able to stay in the race, albeit in the back of the field. Rosenqvist and Collet were forced to pit. O’Ward began the race in second, Rosenqvist was third, Dixon eighth and Collet 12th.
Alex Palou, the three-time defending champion of the 85-lap race, was unaffected by the chaos, as he remained in first place after winning the pole Saturday morning. Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Rinus VeeKay, who began the race in 21st, also pitted, as his car was smoking before getting to the start-finish line.
VeeKay and Rosenqvist entered the restart at the back of the field after doing pit stops while the pits were closed. Rosenqvist was given a drive-through penalty for avoidable contact.
Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Sonsio Grand Prix begins with multi-car crash in Turn 1, including Pato O’Ward
Reporting by Zion Brown, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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