Newgarden takes 2017 IndyCar champion, Pagenaud wins final race

Josef Newgarden has taken his first IndyCar championship after finish in second position in Sonoma season finale. The Tennessee driver was only beaten by Simon Pagenaud but it was enough. Will Power completes the podium.

For 12^th consecutive season, the IndyCar champion had to be decided in the season finale. 7 drivers were mathematically able to win but realistically it was all about the following 5: Josef Newgarden (Team Penske), Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing), Helio Castroneves (Team Penske), Simon Pagenaud (Team Penske) and Will Power (Team Penske).

It was the championship leader, Josef Newgarden who yesterday took the pole position and the bonus point for that. The American driver kept the lead at the start of the race followed by team mates, Will Power, Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud.

Pagenaud wasn’t able to make any move driving in fourth position so he decided to make a 4 pit-stops strategy, instead of 3 which is what all the other drivers did. This strategy work perfectly well for the Frenchman who took the lead after his final stop.

Meanwhile, no caution appeared in this race but some drivers like Alexander Rossi (Andretti Herta Autosport), James Hinchcliffe (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports), Takuma Sato (Andretti Autosport) and Ed Jones (Dale Coyne Racing) had to retire.

So it was the second victory of the season for Simon Pagenaud who wins in Sonoma for second straight year. Thanks to this result the Frenchman finished second in the drivers’ standings, 17 point off Josef Newgarden.

Newgarden, finished second and is crowned the new Verizon IndyCar Series champion after 4 wins and one pole position this 2017. Will Power completes the podium positions.

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