
Arrow McLAREN Iowa Speedway Doubleheader: Race 1 Report
"We've got some ideas to come back stronger tomorrow"

Add another podium to the list for 2023!
Pato O'Ward started on the inside of Row 3 and climbed two positions throughout the race for his fifth podium of the year.
Alexander Rossi and Felix Rosenqvist started 20th and 21st, respectively, and move their way forward over the course of 250 laps. Alexander improved 10 positions to 10th, while Felix gained eight to finish 13th.
One more day of racing, another 250 laps on Sunday to determine who will win Iowa Speedway's second leg of the doubleheader.
Read what each of the drivers and Racing Director Gavin Ward said after Race 1 at Iowa.
Race Dates |
Saturday, July 22 Sunday, July 23 |
Rounds |
11Â of 17 12 of 17 |
Total Laps |
Race 1: 250 laps Race 2: 250 laps |
Total Race Distances | 223.5 miles / 359.69Â km |
Length | 0.88 miles / 1.41Â km |
Number of Turns | 4 |
Pato O'Ward, Driver, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, said:
"Solid podium for us today, but we didn't have anything for the Penskes. We need to take a solid step forward if we want to make them sweat tomorrow. I think they were specifically strong in getting through traffic, and I would get stuck. I wasn't able to really place the car where I needed to in order to get by some of the slow cars. I'm obviously happy with it, but considering how much pace we had here last year, it was a bit of like, 'Where is it?'"
Qualifying - Race 1 | 5th | 178.390 mph |
Qualifying - Race 2 | 11th | 177.217 mph |
Starting Position | 5th | Â |
Finishing Position | 3rd | Â |
Championship Standings | 4th | 309 points |
Alexander Rossi, Driver, No. 7 VELOÂ Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, said:
"We fought hard to get where we ended today in 10th. We made the most of it from where we started, but there's still more in the car that we need to find overnight before we get on track again tomorrow. The team did a great job; this is the best car over a long run that I've had. We'll take a look at the data with the team and get back on track tomorrow."
Qualifying - Race 1 | 21st | 175.864Â mph |
Qualifying - Race 2 | 18th | 176.664 mph |
Starting Position | 20th | Â |
Finishing Position | 10th | Â |
Championship Standings | T-9th | 250 points |
Felix Rosenqvist, Driver, No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, said:
"It wasn't our best race. We had a few mechanical issues that we need to take a look at before Race 2 tomorrow. We had a good first stint, but then we lost momentum after that. All in all, to gain eight spots to finish 13th, we'll take it, but I'm ready to get back out tomorrow to race again."
Qualifying - Race 1 | 22nd | 175.764Â mph |
Qualifying - Race 2 | 16th | 176.844 mph |
Starting Position | 21st | Â |
Finishing Position | 13th | Â |
Championship Standings | 12th | 200 points |
Gavin Ward, Racing Director, Arrow McLaren, said:
"Pato and the No. 5 crew did a great job to get on the podium today. We found a mechanical issue on Felix's car that affected the handling, so we'll work on that before the race tomorrow. Alexander had stages of the race where he had really strong pace, but we still have to find a little bit more there. We as a team didn't have anything for those top two Penskes, but we've got some ideas to come back stronger tomorrow."
Session Times
Race 2 | Sunday, 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC |