Newgarden, Team Penske silence critics in first race

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.>> Team Penske silenced recent criticism aimed at series leadership by dominating the Indycar seasonopening race with a Josef Newgarden win from the pole Sunday on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg.

Pato O’ward of Arrow Mclaren Racing broke up the Penske rout with a second-place finish, but Penske drivers Scott Mclaughlin and Will Power finished third and fourth. The Penske trio finished ahead of every Andretti Global driver two days after team owner Michael Andretti called on Roger Penske to sell the Indycar Series if he’s not willing to increase his investments in promotion and marketing.

“I think for Roger, the Team Penske and the Penske Entertainment is very separate, and for him, he’s got to put those hats on and see the good of the sport,” Mclaughlin said. “It’s part of owning the series, you think, you’re going to get called left, right and center from people upset with your adjustments or what you want from the series.

“You’re never going to have all fine and dandy.”

Colton Herta in fifth was the highest-finishing driver for Andretti, which had a bust of a day with new driver Marcus Ericsson. The former Indianapolis 500 winner lost power midway through the race and finished 25th in the 27-car field. it