(LEXINGTON, OH) The youngest driver of the NTT IndyCar Series powered his way to the podium for the first time this season Sunday afternoon.
20-year-old Colton Herta (Andretti Autopsort) claimed a solid victory in the back half of the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio two-race event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
The pole sitter’s 1.3826 victory over team mate Alexander Rossi was his first checkered flag since his triumph at Laguna Seca one year ago.
“I’m so happy,” said Herta after the race. “We’ve been knocking on the door almost every week and we’ve had the patience. We finally put everything together. We had a stellar car.”
Herta, competing in his sophomore IndyCar campaign, piloted the No. 88 Capstone Turbine #ShiftToGreen Honda to victory in the 75-lap feature at the 13-turn 2.258 mile circuit in convincing fashion, claiming a majority of the laps on the afternoon.
Andretti Autosport also displayed dominance Sunday as they swept the podium with Ryan Hunter-Reay’s third-place finish.
In the series’ point standings, current leader Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) maintained his lead over Josef Newgarden (Team Penske). Dixon, who maintained a top five position in the opening twenty laps, made a rare miscue and spun out onto the grass which pushed him to the back of the pack. Despite the setback, he was able to rebound and finished tenth.
Meanwhile, Newgarden, the series’ defending champ, finished eighth and currently trails Dixon by 72 points (456-384) with three races left.
Herta’s win pushed him to fourth in the series’ standings.
The season continues with dual races at the IndyCar Harvest GP at Indianapolis Motor Speedway October 2-3.
