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Arrow McLAREN Grand Prix of Long Beach: Race Report

"When you qualify in the middle of the pack, you expose yourself to some first lap incidents and that's what happened with us"

Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team logo

A difficult start for the Arrow McLaren team at the 85-lap race on the Streets of Long Beach, but the team powered through to get two solid results.

An opening-lap incident between Alexander Rossi and Pato O'Ward, led Alexander to pit to change tires and Pato with a drive-through penalty.

The No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet team rebounded after being forced to 27th to finish 10th. Théo Pourchaire, in his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut, finished 11th. Pato O'Ward crossed the finish line 16th.

The next race for the team will be at Barber Motorsports Park on April 28 on NBC.

Learn more about what the drivers and Team Principal Gavin Ward said postrace at Long Beach.

Location Long Beach, Calif.
Race Date Sunday, April 21
Round 2 out of 17
Total Laps 85 laps
Total Race Distance 167.3 miles / 269.24 km
Length 1.97 miles / 3.17 km
Number of Turns 11
Alexander Rossi
Starting Position 14th  
Finishing Position 10th  
Championship Position 9th 44 points

"We had a tough weekend dealing with some unique situations. We made some good steps overnight, into the warm-up and into the race. There will always be a check-up when you start that far back and unfortunately, Pato didn’t have anywhere to go. It was just one of those accordion moments. We shifted into recovery mode from there and the team did a good job to hang in and get us into the top 10."

No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet

Théo Pourchaire, Driver, No. 6 onsemi Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, said:

Starting Position 22nd  
Finishing Position 11th  
Championship Position 22nd 19 points

"What a crazy, crazy race. We had a strong performance and I’m very happy. The No. 6 onsemi Arrow McLaren Chevy team was awesome today and we were able to take it from 22nd to 11th. This championship and the racing is amazing and I hope to be back in the future. I learned quite a bit throughout the race. It’s pure racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and it is a dream come true to be competing with Arrow McLaren, which is such a legendary brand and race team. I’m quite emotional, but it is amazing. I don’t realize it yet, but I’m super happy."

Pato O'Ward
Starting Position 14th  
Finishing Position 16th  
Championship Position 6th 54 points

"First, I’m sorry to the Arrow McLaren team. I limited our ability to push for strong results today – at least for two cars. I take full responsibility for a tough race, but it will be a quick turn to Barber where we’ll regroup and look to bounce back."

Gavin Ward, Team Principal, Arrow McLaren, said:

"That was a mixed bag of a race for us. When you qualify in the middle of the pack, you expose yourself to some first lap incidents and that's what happened with us. Pato took accountability for the incident with Alexander, and Alexander knows Pato got checked up. Not the day he and the No. 5 Chevy team were looking for, but I have no doubt they'll bounce back.

"Then, the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet car and crew had a heck of a race. There was some significant damage done to the car, but they made the most of it with great strategy and execution. That's the kind of day you need when things aren't going your way.

"I was super impressed with Théo and with his approach the entire weekend. He kept his nose clean, showed some good pace and learned a lot. The smile and joy is infectious, and it's hard not to smile thinking about his debut.

"Next week we go to Barber, where we were fast at the test. Let's go fight for the win there."