Arrow McLaren rookie Nolan Siegel put collectively his finest race within the IndyCar Sequence thus far final Saturday night time.
Within the shadow of The Gateway Arch, the proficient 19-year-old California native climbed from twentieth on the beginning grid to complete seventh — a career-best consequence, and his first-ever top-10 in IndyCar. Even nonetheless, Siegel couldn’t assist however lament a expensive pit highway penalty that stored him from battling for a potential podium.
“It was my finest consequence within the NTT IndyCar Sequence to date with a top-10. The automobile was superior all day, however sadly, I made a mistake rushing on pit lane and that value us a podium — or much more. I am a bit dissatisfied, nevertheless it’s good to be dissatisfied with a seventh-place consequence.”
The consequence got here in simply Siegel’s eighth begin ever (six with Arrow McLaren), however his first with Brian Campe calling technique. (Robert Gue beforehand held the position, however left the group final week to discover different choices.) Campe joined after serving because the technical director of Hendrick Motorsports, having additionally referred to as technique for Kyle Larson’s maiden Indianapolis 500 again in Could. He brings a stacked resumé that features a position as race engineer for Juan Pablo Montoya’s 2015 Indianapolis 500 victory and as chief engineer on Josef Newgarden’s first IndyCar title in 2017.
Siegel was the lone vivid spot on a tricky night time for Arrow McLaren: a mechanical problem took out a powerful run for Pato O’Ward after 42 laps, and Alexander Rossi was concerned within the carnage that broke out on a controversial restart with 9 laps to go.
Crew Principal Gavin Ward stated: “Felt like we had three vehicles able to ending within the prime 5 at present, nevertheless it did not go our method.”
