NTT IndyCar Series Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Results

The NTT IndyCar Series wrapped up the 2021 season Sunday afternoon on the streets of Long Beach. Heading into this race, Alex Palou, Josef Newgarden, and Pato O’Ward were the only drivers that could win the championship.

Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden won the pole during qualifying on Saturday, and starting second was Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon. Pato O’Ward started eighth, and Alex Palou started tenth.

On Sunday morning, the action started with a warm-up. During the warm-ups, Alexander Rossi and Helio Castroneves made contact at turn two.

After the contact, Helio Castroneves, who is usually calm and fun in interviews, was not pleased with Alexander Rossi.

Once the warm-ups were done, drivers had time to rest before the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach race.

Ed Jones was aggressive on the opening lap, trying to get by James Hinchcliffe at turn eleven. Instead, he hit Pato O’Ward, sending him around. Sebastien Bourdais was also involved and stopped at turn eleven, leading to the first caution. For Sebastien Bourdais, this was his last race as a full-time driver as he will race full-time in IMSA next year and part-time in IndyCar in 2022. Ed Jones was penalized for avoidable contact and served a drive-through.

The race restarted on the fifth lap. Two laps later, Romain Grosjean took fourth away from Felix Rosenqvist. Meanwhile, Colton Herta was coming. He was up to sixth after starting fourteenth.

On lap 19, Pato O’Ward was slow on the track because of the incident with Ed Jones, and his car suffered a broken driveshaft in the right rear. His car stopped which led to the second caution. Pato O’Ward also told his crew chief that the gearbox was gone. Before the caution came out, most drivers were pitting, and others pitted during the caution.

Three laps after the restart, Marcus Ericsson went into the tire wall for the third caution on lap 26. On the restart, Helio Castroneves and Graham Rahal had not pitted. Once those guys pitted, Colton Herta was the new leader.

While Herta continued to lead, in the back, Romain Grosjean brushed the wall at turn eight which left him with rear damage. His day was done and he finished in 24^th place. With Grosjean out, Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin won Rookie of the Year.

During the last set of pit stops, the fourth caution came out on lap 62 for contact between Conor Daly and Oliver Askew. Daly overshot turn nine and hit Askew. On the restart at lap 66, Colton Herta stepped on the gas and drove away.

However, late in the race Josef Newgarden, who was second, was catching Herta. Herta got the best of Newgarden at certain parts of the track. Colton Herta went on to win his third race of the season by .5883 seconds over Josef Newgarden.

It was Herta’s sixth career IndyCar win. Alex Palou finished fourth to win the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series championship and became the first Spanish champion in series history. It was also Chip Ganassi Racing’s fourteenth IndyCar title. Honda won the manufacturer’s title.

During the post-race celebration, Colton Herta said, “It feels amazing, great car, great team. We came here with a great package. This has been on the bucket list for so long, so happy.” Herta added, “It took a lot of work to get here. Such a big race for Honda and Acura, so happy to have a win here for them too. Two Honda’s on the podium. I’m super happy. What a way to cap off the year.” Colton Herta finishes the season with three poles, three wins, and four podium finishes.

The second-place finisher, Josef Newgarden congratulated Herta. “Colton did a great job, congrats to him and his entire crew. He was on the right tire on the right point of the race. If there were no yellows, I think we would have been OK today, to cruise out front. But that’s the way it rolls sometimes.”

Newgarden added, “Strong effort by our team. I think my crew was the fastest in pit lane all year, so there’s a lot to be prideful for. We fought hard. We came up a little bit short this year, which is unfortunate, but we fought all year long.”

Scott McLaughlin, who finished eleventh on winning Rookie of the Year said. “I’m really proud of everyone with the PPG Chevy. The car’s been awesome, and I finally got it to my liking the last six or seven races. I’m really excited for next year. This year was a foundation year, all about building, and I feel like I’ve done that.”

During the championship celebration, Alex Palou thanked his team. “What a race, what a year, what a season. This team is amazing. I’m super proud to be a part of Chip Ganassi Racing, all our partners. I’m super proud to be a champion, and for the opportunity these guys gave me. Dream completed. Let’s get another one now.”

His boss, Chip Ganassi, on winning another title said. “Ladies and gentlemen, you’re seeing a young man that’s going to set a lot of records in this business, and he’s already starting. What a great year we’ve had. I’ve got to be honest with you: It has surprised us when he came in the door and the job he’s done. My hat’s off. Congratulations.”

The rest of the top ten finishers were Scott Dixon third, Alex Palou fourth, Simon Pagenaud fifth, Alexander Rossi sixth, Jack Harvey seventh, Sebastien Bourdais eighth, Takuma Sato ninth, and Will Power tenth. In his final start with Andretti Autosport, Ryan Hunter-Reay finished in 23^rd, two laps down.