IndyCar: Late caution hurt Alexander Rossi more than Will Power

By Asher Fair | Mar 28, 2019

SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Alexander Rossi, driver of the #28 Andretti Autosport Honda, on track during pracrtice for the Verizon IndyCar Series Sonoma Grand Prix at Sonoma Raceway on September 15, 2018 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images) /

Will Power led every lap of the IndyCar Classic at Circuit of the Americas before he had to pit under caution. But Alexander Rossi was more hurt by this caution flag period than Power was.

The first 43 laps of the 17-race 2019 IndyCar season’s second race, the IndyCar Classic, at Circuit of the Americas were contested without a single caution flag period.

But on lap 44 of the 60-lap race around the 20-turn, 3.41-mile (5.488-kilometer) road course in Austin, Texas, Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports’ James Hinchcliffe and Chip Ganassi Racing rookie Felix Rosenqvist made contact, sending Rosenqvist’s #10 Honda spinning before it hit the track’s inside barrier between turns 19 and 20.

Team Penske’s Will Power, who had led the race’s first 43 laps, and Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi, who had been running in second place for much of them race, had still not made their final pit stops while many of the other drivers in the field had done so.

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As a result, these two leaders, along with several others, were set to make their final pit stops under the caution flag period that ensued as a result of this wreck, meaning that they were also set to drop toward the back of the field with their chances at earning a great result pretty much out the window.

Power ended up leading the race’s first 45 laps before coming into the pits and relinquishing the lead to Harding Steinbrenner Racing rookie and eventual race winner Colton Herta, who made his final pit stop before the caution flag period began. In essence, this caution flag period cost him they victory.

But it really didn’t. In fact, it hurt Rossi a lot more than it did Power.

Rossi, who was right on Power’s tail throughout much of the race and had a legitimate chance to win the race and not much of a chance to finish lower than second place prior to this wreck, was able to work his way back up to ninth place following the restart, which took place on lap 50, after dropping well out of the top 10 due to this final pit sequence.

Power, meanwhile, did not have a chance to compete after making his final pit stop, as a drive shaft issue prevented him from getting back on to the track. He was forced to retire from the race and ended up being officially scored in 24th (last) place after dominating the race from the pole position.

In other words, Power was going to finish the race in 24th (last) place whether he came into the pits for his final pit stop under green flag conditions or during a caution flag period and regardless of when he did so. The caution flag period itself did not cost him his chance to win the race, but it did rob Rossi of what would have been almost a sure victory.

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IndyCar is scheduled to return to action on Sunday, April 7 with the third race of the 2019 season, the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, at Barber Motorsport Park. This race is set to be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET. Will Will Power and/or Alexander Rossi bounce back in this race?