Race Report: Hy-Vee One Step 250

NEWTON, Iowa (July 23, 2023) -- "It's deja vu all over again!"

Unfortunately, the famous quote by New York Yankees legendary catcher Yogi Berra applied all too well today as both Santino Ferrucci and Benjamin Pedersen found themselves struggling with ill-handling cars in a race that saw Josef Newgarden sweep the card again and lap everyone but the top five in the 28-car field.

Ferrucci's troubles began early as he went a lap down before the Hy-Vee One Step 250 was 25 laps in. Both drivers took adjustments on numerous pit stops which improved the cars. Ferrucci's car became manageable by the final two stints but it was not enough.

Pedersen finished 27th while Ferrucci came home 22nd albeit five laps down from the leader. When Ryan Hunter-Reay tagged the fourth turn wall with 10 laps to go, the race's third caution closed up the field. Because it was within 10 laps, it was an unusual sight to see all but five cars run through pit lane to allow the top five cars on the lead lap to contend for the victory.

Newgarden was not to be denied even though teammate Will Power shot past Felix Rosenqvist to make it one-two for Team Penske. Rounding out the top five were Alex Palou, Rosenqvist and Scott McLaughlin.

The next race is the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville on Sunday, August 6th.