Christian Rasmussen wins first career IndyCar Series race

INDIANAPOLIS - A sprinkle of rain was all Christian Rasmussen needed to score his first career IndyCar Series victory on Sunday.




The Ed Carpenter Racing driver took advantage of a short caution period because of rain to dive into the pits for fresh tires. The strategy paid off as he passed series champion Alex Palou, Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden in the final stretch to win the Milwaukee Mile 250 on Sunday.




"Today was amazing," Rasmussen said. "We were so good on new tires, even compared to other cars on new tires. Wow, that's a good day, a good Sunday."




The breakthrough victory came in the Danish driver's 30th career IndyCar start. The win was also the first for Ed Carpenter Racing since Rinus Veekay won on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in 2021.




"I knew this was coming for Christian," said Carpenter. "He's the best there is right now on short ovals. He has shown it all season long. It feels so good. It's been a while since we've won a race."




Palou, McLaughlin and Newgarden elected to stay out to keep track position during the late caution period. Rasmussen passed Newgarden with 23 laps left, McLaughlin with 20 to go and Palou with with 15 left.




The pass was one of the most daring of the season as Rasmussen used the high line, going side by side with Palou between turns three and four, taking the lead for good at the start-finish line.




"We were talking before the race that if there was a late caution, then we want to go on new tires because it is such an advantage," Rasmussen said. "There were more people that did it than I thought there would in that last stint, but it was definitely the right choice."




The second-place finish means Palou cannot match A.J. Foyt and Al Unser for most wins in a season with 10. McLaughlin finished third, tying his season-best finish. Alexander Rossi crossed fourth for his best finish with Ed Carpenter Racing. Pato O'Ward rounded out the top five.




The season will wrap up next Sunday afternoon with the Music City Grand Prix at the Nashville Superspeedway.



via: https://fox59.com/sports/rasmussen-wins-first-career-indycar-series-race/