Josef Newgarden captured the win at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday during the first race of the Desert Double, marking a successful return for INDYCAR at the one-mile desert track. The Team Penske driver’s late-race performance earned him the victory just days before the NASCAR Cup Series event took place on Sunday. Newgarden’s Phoenix win underscores his continued strength in the series.
How Newgarden Took the Checkered Flag
Starting from second on the grid behind teammate David Malukas, Newgarden demonstrated strong pace in his No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet throughout the weekend. This victory marked the 33rd in his INDYCAR career and his second at Phoenix, having previously won there in 2018, the last time INDYCAR raced at this venue.
We took tires [with 38 laps left], and that thing was like a rocket ship when it needed to be,
Newgarden said during the FOX broadcast following his triumph.
Although Newgarden led just eight laps, his timely pit stop for fresher tires in the closing stages allowed him to close in swiftly on the leaders and seize the top position when it counted most.
Challenges for Rasmussen and the Late-Race Battle
Christian Rasmussen emerged as a strong contender with his No. 21 ECR Chevrolet, leading a race-high 69 laps and holding the lead with only 10 laps remaining. However, his car suffered from undiagnosed mechanical difficulties that hampered his ability to maintain pace against competitors equipped with fresher tires.
Kyle Kirkwood overtook Rasmussen with approximately nine laps remaining, but Newgarden was advancing rapidly behind them. Passing Rasmussen on lap 242, Newgarden secured second place before making a decisive move to claim the lead less than seven laps from the finish, holding on to win the race.
the class of the field today, best car out there
Rasmussen commented to FOX after the race, also attributing some misfortune to Will Power. He explained that Power, driving the No. 26 Andretti Global Honda, ran him into the wall, damaging his vehicle.
Alex Palou’s Unexpected Exit From the Race
In a rare turn of events, Alex Palou, a four-time INDYCAR champion, was forced to retire early after colliding with the wall just 21 laps in. This marks only the ninth occasion in Palou’s 100 career starts that he failed to finish a race.
I don’t know if I just squeezed someone or if someone was trying to get there,
Palou stated to FOX Sports’ Georgia Henneberry during the broadcast following his evaluation and release.
I didn’t think there was anybody there.
Having won the season opener at St. Pete, Palou’s retirement at Phoenix introduces uncertainty about his ability to continue dominating the season standings.
Upcoming INDYCAR Event: Street Race in Arlington, Texas
The INDYCAR series will shift its focus to Texas for the third round of the 2026 season, hosting the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington. This race will be conducted on the city streets surrounding AT&T Stadium on Sunday, March 15, with live coverage scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One.
This event is expected to test drivers with a new, challenging street circuit, offering fresh opportunities for teams like Team Penske and drivers such as Newgarden and others to continue battling for championship points after a dramatic Phoenix race.
"You can't just run people into the wall." A disappointed Christian Rasmussen after Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/aI6pis52A6
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) March 7, 2026
"I didn't think there was anybody there." Alex Palou on his Phoenix crash. pic.twitter.com/XAgmVQrVUy
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) March 7, 2026
