Josef Newgarden secured victory at the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway, marking his first win of the season.
Newgarden, driving the #2 Team Penske Chevrolet, started 10th on a late restart with fresh tires and took the lead with seven laps remaining. He finished 1.77937 seconds ahead of Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global. David Malukas, Newgarden’s teammate and pole-sitter, placed third. Pato O'Ward of Arrow McLaren finished fourth, followed by Marcus Armstrong from Meyer Shank Racing in fifth.
Race Summary
Early Stages and First Incidents
Malukas initially established a nearly 2-second lead over Newgarden within 10 laps. The first caution occurred when Dennis Hauger spun off Turn 2 but continued without significant damage.
On the Lap 19 restart, Graham Rahal moved into third. Shortly after, Rinus VeeKay and Alex Palou made contact, leading to Palou's retirement on his 100th start after 22 laps.
Mid-Race Strategies and Lead Changes
Malukas maintained the lead before his first pit stop on Lap 73. During the pit cycle, he engaged in a wheel-to-wheel battle with Newgarden, with brief contact before Newgarden moved ahead. O’Ward, who pitted earlier on Lap 68, gained the lead through an undercut strategy.
Christian Rasmussen of ECR later advanced to second and then took the lead on Lap 109. O’Ward pitted 10 laps later.
Late Race Incidents and Further Changes
A second caution was issued on Lap 142 after Louis Foster made contact with the wall. Kirkwood then cycled to the lead as Rasmussen and Scott Dixon pitted.
Kirkwood and teammate Will Power led on the Lap 155 restart. Rasmussen took the lead on Lap 191. After another round of pit stops, Power led six laps later and battled with Rasmussen. On Lap 206, Power and Rasmussen collided, resulting in a flat tire for Power and concerns about damage for Rasmussen, leading to a third caution.
Newgarden's Charge to Victory
Rasmussen remained on track ahead of O’Ward and Kirkwood, while O’Ward and Newgarden pitted. On the Lap 218 restart, Rasmussen led Kirkwood, with O’Ward and Newgarden advancing from ninth and 10th positions. Newgarden entered the top three with 10 laps remaining.
Kirkwood overtook Rasmussen with eight laps to go, but Newgarden then passed Kirkwood to secure the lead a lap later. Rasmussen finished 14th due to damage. Newgarden achieved his first victory of the season, joined by Kirkwood and Malukas on the podium.