Newgarden wins again in Alabama

Josef Newgarden kept Team Penske on top at Barber Motorsports Park with his second Birmingham, Ala., win in three years, with help from a teammate’s misfortune.

The new Penske driver didn’t allow Scott Dixon an opening over the final stretch to give Chevrolet its first win of the season Sunday in the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.

Newgarden was overshadowed by his own teammates coming into the race that’s only three hours from his hometown of Hendersonville, Tenn.

Pole-sitter Will Power, Helio Castroneves and defending champion Simon Pagenaud were the top three qualifiers after small Honda teams won the first two races. Pagenaud finished third and Castroneves fourth. Newgarden moved to the front for the first time when Power was forced to pit with a punctured left rear tire with 14 laps to go.

Zach Veach finished 19th for Ed Carpenter Racing in his IndyCar debut, subbing for injured JR Hildebrand.

NHRA

Leah Pritchett powered her dragster to her fourth career Top Fuel victory at the SpringNationals in Baytown, Texas. Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Bo Butner (Pro Stock) also claimed victories.