Four Takeaways from INDYCAR's Return to Phoenix Raceway
- Eddie Kalegi
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER
Just like INDYCAR’s most recent trip to the desert in 2018, Saturday afternoon’s Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway ended in a Josef Newgarden win, a much-needed victory to set the tone for a resurgent season for Team Penske.
Newgarden’s teammate David Malukas started from the pole for the first time in his NTT INDYCAR Series career, but Penske was challenged throughout the day by Christian Rasmussen, Pato O’Ward, and the Andretti Global trio of Marcus Ericsson, Kyle Kirkwood, and Will Power.
Contact between Rasmussen and Power while battling for the lead with less than 50 laps to go set up a late restart, but it was Newgarden who found himself in front at the checkered flag.
With INDYCAR’s first oval race of 2026 in the books, here are some takeaways.
1. Alex Palou is human
Nowhere to be found in Saturday’s electrifying battle for the win was the man who’s been a regular in the victory circle in recent years, Alex Palou. The four-time NTT INDYCAR Series champion, who won last week’s season-opener at St. Petersburg and scored a pair of oval wins during his 2025 title campaign, including capturing his maiden Indianapolis 500 triumph, was out of the race almost immediately.
After a rare misjudgement exiting a turn, Palou moved up in front of Rinus VeeKay when he wasn’t clear, sending both drivers into the wall. Palou’s #10 Honda was damaged beyond repair, ending his day prematurely. DNF’s are a rare sight for INDYCAR’s star, who was making his 100th career start, but Saturday was a reminder that everyone, even the best, make mistakes.
2. Christian Rasmussen is a star in the making
In an era where driver personality is lacking across several major motorsports disciplines, Ed Carpenter Racing and INDYCAR appear to have struck gold on their “Mr. Excitement.”
Christian Rasmussen was everywhere on Saturday, making passes and aggressive moves seemingly every lap, and was the dominant car of the day. Unfortunately, his aforementioned contact with Will Power caused damage that gave him an aerodynamic disadvantage during the final green flag run, having to settle for 14th.
That being said, Rasmussen, who came to prominence after stunning Alex Palou for his first career win at the Milwaukee Mile in August, will certainly be a favorite at all of the remaining ovals this season, likely ruffling some feathers along the way. A polarizing driver for sure.
3. Josef Newgarden is still the oval king
It’s easy to forget, but Josef Newgarden is actually on a two-race oval winning streak. Newgarden closed what was an otherwise nightmarish 2025 season for Team Penske with a dominant victory at Nashville Superspeedway last August, and now found himself in victory lane once again.
Unlike Nashville, Newgarden was significantly challenged all race, and had to be at his best at the end. That’s exactly what he did, making an overtake of Kyle Kirkwood with seven laps to go look seemingly effortless, ultimately claiming the win and a champagne shower.
His performance on road courses and street circuits still has a ways to go, but Josef Newgarden is undeniably still the man to beat when it comes to turning left, no matter the size.
4. The Desert Double was a Success
Per multiple reports, the INDYCAR and NASCAR tandem event at Phoenix Raceway will likely return in 2027. All indications say that this weekend has been a success.
During a time when motorsports coverage is on the upswing, and Formula One fans are irate about new engine regulations, it makes perfect sense for NASCAR and INDYCAR to continue to help each other. Doubleheader weekends provide the NTT INDYCAR Series with additional exposure, while it adds a twist to NASCAR events, which can occasionally seem repetitive and monotonous due to the sport’s nine month long season. Hopefully this weekend at Phoenix was the first of many.
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