Beyond the Flag
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IndyCar: Five surprises from the 2017 season

By Mike Knapp

SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Simon Pagenaud of France driver of the #1 DXC Technology Chevrolet crosses the finish line in first place to win the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway on September 17, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Simon Pagenaud of France driver of the #1 DXC Technology Chevrolet crosses the finish line in first place to win the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway on September 17, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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AVONDALE, AZ – APRIL 29: Sebastien Bourdais of France, driver of the #18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
AVONDALE, AZ – APRIL 29: Sebastien Bourdais of France, driver of the #18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Winning one for the little guy

Sebastien Bourdais actually gets credit for two of the more pleasant surprises of the 2017 IndyCar season.

The first came at the season-opening race at St. Pete. The Frenchman, driving in his first race for Dale Coyne Racing since 2011, took the lead on lap 37 then only gave it up during pit stops to win for the first time in his adopted hometown.

Dale Coyne Racing has seen their program step up over the last few years. The late Justin Wilson picked up Coyne’s first win in 2009. He later added a win in 2012 and in 2013 he finished sixth in points.

Mike Conway and Carlos Huertas also took Coyne to the winner’s circle in 2013 and 2014, respectively. So while Coyne has had growing success, the organization still sits on a lower level than that of Team Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing and Andretti Autosport.

Coyne has fielded entries in open-wheel racing since 1984 and has always made the most with the least. Bourdais’ win was a big moment for the “Little Team That Could” and a feel-good story to start the 2017 season.

Devastating crash at Indy, comeback at Gateway

Bourdais added to his victory at St. Pete with a runner-up finish at Long Beach and headed to Indy in the championship hunt. But on the first day of qualifying on May 20th, he had a huge crash exiting turn 2 that left him with multiple pelvic fractures and a fracture in his right hip.

While most thought he was done for the season, Bourdais steadily progressed in his rehab. Suddenly the idea that he could be back in the car by the end of the year became reasonable.

Bourdais tested at Mid-Ohio in late July, and was back for the race weekend at Gateway. He finished 10th there and added a 9th place finish to close out the year at Sonoma.