Wild Times At Road America With XPEL Grand Prix Winner Christian Lundgaard And Much More

Roger Penske:

This is Roger Penske and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy, sponsored by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin:
Welcome to Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental, as we continue our sixth season of giving IndyCar fans an inside look at the most exciting form of racing on the planet, the NTT IndyCar Series. We welcome back our friends from Penske Truck Rental, who return as the presenting sponsor of Pit Pass Indy. Penske Truck Rental helps Pit Pass Indy bring you the inside stories of IndyCar from the paddock, to the racetrack, to the highways and streets of America. And this season, Penske Truck Rental and Pit Pass Indy help celebrate Team Penske's 60th anniversary. As the host of Pit Pass Indy, I'm honored and humbled to be recognized for outstanding achievement as the 2026 Society of Professional Motorsports Journalist On-Air Broadcaster of the Year, presented at this year's 110th Indianapolis 500. The award is for the hard work all of us at Evergreen Podcast and Front Porch Media have invested into making Pit Pass Indy one of the leading podcasts in the motorsports category. And a special thanks to our loyal listeners who continue to help Pit Pass Indy grow. In one of the wildest races of the season, the XBEL Grand Prix at Road America had an unexpected finish as Christian Lungard of Errol McLaren drove to his second win of the season, the third of his career, thanks to Marcus Armstrong's heartbreak. Just when it appeared Armstrong was on his way to his first career NTT IndyCar Series victory, heavy smoke started to pour out of his number 66 Meyers Schenck Racing Honda. Lungard was able to make the race-winning pass over Armstrong's crippled racing machine before more oil poured out of the exhaust, forcing IndyCar to throw the yellow flag with four laps to go. Armstrong was able to pull his car off the race course to give the field a shot at a one-lap green flag finish in Sunday's XFAL Grand Prix at Road America. Instead of driving to his first career IndyCar win, Armstrong finished 24th in the 25-car field. When the green and white flags waved to start the final lap, Lungard had a great restart as he was pursued by David Maloukis' No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet. The field made it safely around the 4.014-mile, 14-turn road course at Road America, with the exception of Nolan Siegel's spin at the back of the field. But at the kink heading into Canada Corner, Will Powers' No. 26 Honda hit Graham Rahal's No. 15 Honda, sending it off track and bringing out the yellow and checkered flags. Lungard's No. 7 Chevrolet defeated Malukas' No. 12 Chevrolet by 0.6214 seconds in a race that finished under yellow. Powers' No. 6 Andretti Global Honda finished third. But this race will be remembered for Lungard's last on lap 1, to the win on lap 55. Lungard had damage to his front wing and a flat tire on lap 1 when he ran into the back of Scott Dixon's number 9 Honda. The Aero McLaren driver had to make a pit stop, dropping him 3 quarters of a lap behind the field. But he never gave up, and he was able to battle back in one of the most surprising IndyCar Series races in Road America's long history. There were 240 total passes in the race, with six lead changes between five drivers. Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental, will have two exclusive interviews with Lungard later in this podcast. But first, let's talk to some of the other drivers entering this race, including the driver who is now second in the standings, Team Penske's David Maloukas. He entered the weekend third in the standings, but another second-place finish this past weekend at Road America has moved Malukas just one spot behind the leader, Alex Pillow, who has a 60-point lead entering the July 5th Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. Here is my exclusive interview with Malukas for PitPass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental. Joining us now on Pit Pass Indy is Team Penske driver David Maloukas. David, it's another home race for you. We're at Road America, not too far from Chicago. Every driver wants to win the Indianapolis 500. Would you say the number two pick would be to win at Road America?

David Malukas: I'd say for sure. I've already got this question a few times, but it's always the same answer. This would be a big one for me. This is kind of where a lot of my racing distance I wanted to go started here at Road America. You know, my dad with the Corvette out when I was a little kid and it all started and began here. So to come full circle, get my first IndyCar win here, it would be very special.

Bruce Martin: So how many people make the trip up here from Chicago that are David Maloukas fans?

David Malukas: It's a lot. It's a lot of fans and also friends and family. Everybody's coming over here for this race because outside of this being a local track towards us, I think it's also one of the coolest and one of the best ones we have on the schedule. I mean, got four miles of just a fantastic track. It's a lot of fun, especially since the repave, that carousel. Let's just say we're going to have a pretty big neck pad already installed in the car.

Bruce Martin: We're at the halfway point of the season. If somebody said you'd be there at the beginning of the season, would you have been excited by that?

David Malukas: Oh, yeah, for sure.

null: 100%.

David Malukas: We've been so excited. But along the way, mistakes were made. So we could even better be even closer. So you always just look at this season. But it is good to kind of look at it from a distance, look at it from a whole of like, wow, we are P3 in the championship. What an incredible season it's been. But we're still only roughly a little bit past halfway. So we got to keep on it. If I would rate it, I'm giving it a B, B plus. It's been a really good season, but it's not been perfect. We're still making mistakes. The potential is still through the roof, which also in some ways is a good thing. This isn't our maximum. We know we could be that much better. So it feels good that we're already P3 and still making these mistakes. Going for a win is more just like a me thing. And it's just something that I need to keep under control. If the opportunity arises, of course, we're going to try to go for it. But don't want to be pushing so hard, making stupid moves to try to go for that win. And next thing you know, we end up in a crash. Now we're not even close to it. So we still have a points race to focus on. That's number one priority. But if the opportunity is there, of course, we'll try and get that first one.

Bruce Martin: Well, David Maloukas, good luck. And thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy. Thank you. Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing continued his pole winning streak with a fifth straight pole, this time at Road America. Palou started on the pole and looked like the driver to beat for the win when he led 13 laps in the race. But when the four-time NTT IndyCar Series champion made his second pit stop on lap 29, IndyCar officiating ruled Palou was speeding on pit lane and had to make a drive-through penalty. He got a bit of a break on the next lap when Christian Rasmussen's number 21 ECR Chevrolet came to a stop at the start-finish line that brought out the yellow flag, but Palou was mired deep in the field. Palou raced his way back to a fifth-place finish. Here is an exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview with Palou entering the race weekend at Road America. Alex Palou has joined us. We're at Road America. Do you realize if you win on Sunday, you'll be the all time leading IndyCar race winner at Road America? When you think of that, all the great names that raced here. It's hard to believe nobody's won more than three.

Alex Palou: No way. No, I didn't know that. So very cool, very cool. I've had a lot of great races here, a lot of success. And yeah, that kind of fills us a little bit to try and do a good job. But yeah, it's great. It's always so tough to win. I remember last year here was not a straightforward race, was very chaotic, different strategies, lots of yellows, but still survived. So yeah, hopefully we get to do it again.

Bruce Martin: Three wins here since 2021. What's your secret at Road America? I don't know. I wish I knew.

Alex Palou: I love this place. That's the first. I think once you are so comfortable with the track and you enjoy every single time that you're out there, it kind of helps. And then just having great cars like we've always had. a lot of success as a team. I remember 2020 I was not part of the team but still CTR was able to win both races that we had a double header here with Felix and Scott so yeah I think as a team we've always had a great car here.

Bruce Martin: The next race after Road America is Mid-Ohio. Do you feel a sense of redemption that you're going into that race to redeem yourself?

Alex Palou: Hopefully, hopefully. Yeah, that still hurts a little bit, very deep, my heart. But yeah, it's another place I love. It's obviously one of those races that I let go. But yeah, I'll try again, see if we have another chance.

Bruce Martin: Well, Alex Blow, good luck and thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy. Thank you, Bruce. We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

David Malukas: This is David Maloukis, driver of the number 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. And you are listening to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin: Welcome back to PitPass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental. Felix Rosenquist won the 110th Indianapolis 500 on May 24th, when he drove the Meyerschank Racing Honda to the biggest win of his career. But it appears Rosenquist is in high demand to move to another team in 2027, as the so-called Silly Season is heating up. There are a variety of landing spots for Rosenquist, depending on what happens to drivers currently on those teams. But it appears that Rosenquist is in a position to cash in on his big win in the Indy 500, whether it's with another team, or a new contract to remain on his current team. Contract aside, Rosenquist joins me for this exclusive PitPass Indy interview, entering the race weekend at Road America. The winner of the Indianapolis 500 has joined us, Felix Rosenquist. Obviously winning the Indianapolis 500 is the number one goal of any IndyCar Series driver. Would you say a win at Road America would be second?

Felix Rosenqvist: I think you nailed that. This one on Mid-Ohio for me would mean the most. Just how close I've been and how much I love the tracks. I always love coming out here to Wisconsin. It kind of reminds me of Sweden a little bit, the weather in the summer, you know. Lots of great race fans and just a great atmosphere. So, yeah, it would really mean a lot to… Actually, I have one here now when you say it. I kind of forgot about it, but it's a long time ago. But another one would actually mean even more.

Bruce Martin: Nearly a month has gone by since you won the 110th Indianapolis 500. So as you look back, what stands out to you?

Felix Rosenqvist: Honestly, I haven't really been able to take it in yet because we've been so busy. I think it's still one of those where when you get a moment, you kind of look back and you smile a little bit and you look at the replays. But I think my favorite moment was just leaving the track that evening very late and someone asked me to sign a bottle and they asked me to sign it with Indy 500 winner and that was then it kind of became real to me that I won it. I'll never forget that feeling but yeah I'm still taking it in to be honest and it's gonna take some time.

Bruce Martin: And also at night when you're in a hotel or even at home and you flip through the channels, it was on last night on FS2. Do you find yourself stopping and watching it on FS1, FS2, and just really seeing how you did it?

Felix Rosenqvist: Yeah, whenever I see the replays, it's kind of hard to not watch the whole thing over the finish. Yeah, it's always going to be a great memory that changes your life. And I feel like just the way it played out, that replay is always going to go on repeat for hopefully many years. So just to remind me what me and the team did. So yeah, really, really, really cool.

Bruce Martin: Well, they'll be talking about it for history. Felix Rosenquist, continue to enjoy the moment. Thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy. Thank you. Another driver in a contract here is Marcus Ericcson of Andretti Global Racing. He came to the team after winning the 2022 Indianapolis 500 at Chip Ganassi Racing. And despite some decent races, Erickson has not won a race during his term at Andretti. He hopes to remain with the team in 2027, but he is going to need a few victories to solidify his position. If not, then a departure would open a ride with one of IndyCar's top teams. Erickson joins me for this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview. Marcus Ericcson has joined us, and after that great run you had at Gateway, how much of you really had a renewed sense of competition and purpose in what you're doing behind the wheel of an IndyCar?

Marcus Ericsson: Yeah, I think it's been coming, though. I think all year, we've been trending in the right direction, getting stronger and stronger. So it wasn't a surprise for us that we were going to have a great race sooner rather than later. It was great that it came at Gateway. And having that dominant performance leading 140 laps and fighting it out with the best of the best on these tracks, Josef Newgarden, was a great thing. I wish I could have won it. But it was still a great performance, great results. So it gives us a lot of confidence going into the second half of the season.

Bruce Martin: It seems that there's a lot of harmony between the three drivers and Andretti Global. So how important would it be to keep that together?

Marcus Ericsson: I think it would be very important, of course. But we'll see. I think the team has done a tremendous job, the whole organization. And we've really improved a lot this year. And I feel like you say, me, Will, and Kyle is working really well together. And I think that's been one of the reasons why we've been improving as a team as well. So it's been a lot of fun. And yeah, hopefully we can continue that.

Bruce Martin: Are you starting to keep an eye on the free agent list of other drivers and what may start a domino effect?

Marcus Ericsson: Yeah, I mean, it's that time of the year, right? So it's important to keep an eye on that. But the most important thing is to focus on what's happening on track and delivering that. So that's where my big focus is.

Bruce Martin: Marcus Ericcson, good luck in that search. Thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy. Thank you. One driver that doesn't have to worry about a new contract is Christian Rasmussen of ECR. He signed a contract extension to remain with the team earlier this month and can sit back and watch with interest where the other drivers in IndyCar land. Rasmussen talks about that and more in this exclusive PitPass Indie interview.

Christian Rasmussen: We had a pretty tough weekend here last year and it didn't really, we didn't really have much to fight with but I think everyone is in better spirits this year. We came off of a test here that went pretty well, came in with a different package to the test that seemed to work a lot better for us. So yeah, we're excited to see what we can do. Like you say, it was nice to reward the team with a podium finish right after extending my contract last week, or yeah, last race week. And yeah, hopefully we can just kind of continue to build on that momentum going into this week. And I think we have a good opportunity to do that. And I think we have a lot of potentially strong races for us for the rest of the year. I think mid-Ohio has been very good for us. Obviously, Milwaukee was decent last year. But we also have a lot of work ahead of us. It's been a pretty tough start to the year. So we have a lot of work ahead of us to claw some championship points back.

Bruce Martin: Because you did sign your contract before the last race, how much are you now able to sit back and look at all the other drivers who haven't signed contracts for next year and look at the entertainment aspect of that?

Christian Rasmussen: Yeah, it's definitely nice to have that security and be out of that race sometimes. Just knowing that you're secure for the next couple of years, you never know in this sport. And especially with the year we've had, you just never know. But obviously, people behind the scenes at ECR knows what's going on and know why we get the results that we get. So, they stuck with me and I'm secure there. So, yeah, I'll just be leaning back, bag of popcorn and, you know, watching it all unfold.

Bruce Martin: Last year, Will Power was the domino. Once that domino fell, we could see everything else come into place. Who do you believe the domino is now? Do you believe it's Scott Dixon? Do you believe it's Marcus Ericcson? Who would you say is the domino?

Christian Rasmussen: There's a lot of dominoes. I think there's a lot of big players that are up in the air right now. So yeah, I think Joseph's one of them. I think Scott's one of them. I think Pato's one of them. Yeah, I think it'll be interesting to see what happens. I think there's going to be a lot of moving around. So no, it's good. I think we're building something very good together. I obviously see from the inside of where we are going as a team. I think there's obviously aspirations to do a lot more than what we're doing right now. And I think we'll just continue that development. And I think it's obviously very nice for me to have that stability, but I also think it's very good for the team to have that stability and have something that they can build around and have some continuity. continuity in their driver lineup so yeah it's I think I think we have a bright future ahead I heard the other day that I'll be the longest standing driver at ECR which is pretty crazy to think about but yeah I'm excited for the future for for both myself and the team Yeah, like I mentioned before, they obviously see what goes on behind the scenes, and they see why the results aren't coming. And the way this year has gone, it's just been a lot of stuff that's been outside of our control, both myself and the team. So it's… They obviously see a lot of potential, and they see what's going on, and I think based off of that, they decided to keep me around. Yeah, it's very nice. Obviously, the Ovals has been very strong for us, but we have a lot of work to do on the road and street courses. The goal for this team is to compete for race wins every weekend, and down the line, we want to compete for championships, and that's not where we are right now. We might be there on an oval aspect of things, but we have a lot of work to do to improve the rest of our package. That said, obviously it's very nice to go into a lot of weekends and know that we have a chance to win. I don't think I have felt that in IndyCar before this year, so I think Phoenix really confirmed that for me, that we are actually strong on multiple places. And then again, we just keep doing it. We had a good race in Phoenix. We obviously got a podium this last weekend. We know what we did at Milwaukee last year. Who knows what was going to happen at Nashville, but I think we have a good opportunity to do something good there as well. So yeah, I'm very excited about that part of the program. We just need to improve everything else. No, I don't think I surprised myself. I come in with a big self-belief, and I know what I can do in a race car. But yeah, I think it just confirmed the direction we're headed in as a team, I think. Last year we had a very good run on the ovals but just continuing that into this year and showing that we haven't forgotten how to do it was very nice. We have a great opportunity to go win a couple of races towards the end of the year and that's going to be the goal.

Bruce Martin: Rookie Mick Schumacher is next up and I asked the Ray Hall Letterman-Lanigan racing driver if his first season in IndyCar has been what he expected in this exclusive PitPass Indy interview. Mick Schumacher has joined us. Would you say Road America is the most like a European race course that you've ever been on here in the United States?

Mick Schumacher: Probably, yeah. It reminds me a little bit of a spa or something that is just nicely built into the structure of the land instead of made like a flat land racetrack.

Bruce Martin: And do you believe because of that, and you've had experience on these types of courses, that this could be a really good weekend for you?

Mick Schumacher: Well, I hope that we have good weekends everywhere we go. I don't know if this is particularly going to be that. Obviously, these events and these races, I feel like they don't really depend always on how good and how quick you are. There's also a lot of strategy in there and yellows. And if things fall right for you, then you most likely will do well. You always try and stay ahead of it, but it's very difficult. So I think that's what we've been caught out a couple times this year so far already. Hopefully this one will be a bit better and a bit easier and a bit more straightforward for us that we can then obviously take the most out of it.

Bruce Martin: You've made it through half of an IndyCar Series season. Has it exceeded your expectations? What has stood out to you?

Mick Schumacher: It has been a very up-and-down season so far. You know, I think we learned a lot, but the results, I think, didn't really always back up the pace that we had, unfortunately, so trying to turn that around.

Bruce Martin: Well, Mick Schumacher, good luck in the second half of the year, and thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy.

Mick Schumacher: Thank you.

Bruce Martin: And now, let's hear from Renis Fike of June Coast Hollinger Racing in this exclusive PitPass Indy interview as he reflects on the late Dennis Reinbold, an IndyCar team owner who passed away on June 13th. Renis Fike has joined us. And Renis, even though you really didn't get a chance to drive for Dennis Reinbold, he was part of the team through an alliance in the month of May at the Indianapolis 500. So what are your reflections on Dennis? And unfortunately, he passed away last week.

Rinus VeeKay: Yeah, I mean, yeah, just devastated news, of course. you know i've i've i've i've i've had talks with dennis uh… after my departure from a carpenter racing uh… you know we we met and talked about a possible future together uh… then luckily something came together this year at the five hundred with uh… an alliance uh… four to five hundred with J.H.R. so uh… you know his people his just The passion he brought to IndyCar was very special. It was an obvious love to the racing itself, to the history of the track. From what I've experienced and seen through the people around him is that he was just a very, very… He's a very good, loving boss. Actually, I bought a car from his car dealership as well. So even there, you can see that it's just one of those people that is just so incredibly nice, treats people with such respect and positive energy that reflects through everything they do. Their racing team is his car dealership, so yeah, big loss for IndyCar, for the IndyCar community and of course his family and friends, but yeah, he made a real impact on IndyCar racing for sure.

Bruce Martin: I got asked this question earlier this week by Chris Widlick during the taping of this week in IndyCar. And he wanted to know why Renus VeeKay has not been swiped up yet by a big team. And I said, I'm sure Renus would like to know the answer to that himself. You've raced at the front. You've won a race in IndyCar. Do you see it as a situation that other teams, other drivers that maybe aren't even on the radar end up coming with a package, a sponsorship package that often leaves you out of the picture?

Rinus VeeKay: Yeah, that's the thing. Racing is a business other than a sport. And if the funding is not there, you've got to take a driver with money. And if they can do pretty well, that's also nice for a team owner. I've never really brought budget in. I've always, other than my rookie year, I've been paid. I bring my services and experience, that's kind of it. So I really try to maximize everything I do, be the best driver I can be. So far I've beaten every single one of my teammates in every year in IndyCar. So yeah, I'm doing all I can. And right now I have a great home at Junkos Hollinger Racing. And yeah, I mean, There might be some openings next year. It looks like things are pretty silly in a silly season. But yeah, I'll let that play out and just focus on my purpose this weekend as a race car driver.

Bruce Martin: What's the closest you've ever come to landing that ride?

Rinus VeeKay: Oh, yeah. I'll write a book sometime in the future, and you'll be shocked for sure.

Bruce Martin: Renus VeeKay, good luck in that search, because I know you could do a heck of a job with a big name team. Thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy. Thank you very much. We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Scott McLaughlin: Hi, I'm Scott McLaughlin, driver of the number three team Penske Chevy, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin: Welcome back to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental. Let's switch gears and talk to two IndyNex by Firestone drivers from Abel Motorsports, including Miles Rowe and Max Garcia. Rowe arrived at Road America two weeks after his spectacular win at Worldwide Technology Raceway when he went from last to first to win the race. Rowe tells me how he did it in this exclusive interview for Pit Pass Indy. Miles Rose joined us now, and Miles, a couple of weeks have gone by since your dramatic last to first victory at Gateway. When you've had a chance to sit back and reflect on it, did it amaze you how well that race went for you to be able to not only get back to the front, but win the race?

Myles Rowe: Yeah, I expected such a race. I told my dad that I was going to finish in the same position regardless of where I started. I knew I had the car for it. I think Able Motorsports, Force IndyCrew, they were able to give me the kind of car to have that confidence and have that belief before I even started the race. And I believe that's how the execution came.

Bruce Martin: What was it about the car that made you feel like nobody else had a car that could compete with you?

Myles Rowe: Just very well balanced on kind of like any point in the run. You know, our qualifying run to our race run, we had the same kind of positive traits and being able to manage our tire wear, I think, as well. And like being very cognizant of that made a big difference in being able to actually move up, you know, through all the air wash to the field and then still have, you know, the pace at the end.

Bruce Martin: Of course, rules are the rules, and you were going to win the poll. Unfortunately, you didn't see the checkered flag, and you stayed out an extra lap. Do you think that the punishment fit the crime?

Myles Rowe: For sure. I mean, rules are rules, right? There was obviously issues that I thought at the time were made a little bit harsh, but at the end of the day, rules are rules. When it's another situation with a different car, and it benefits me, I'm not going to complain about it, and that's how the sport goes.

Bruce Martin: How much of a learning experience was the whole weekend? Not only go through that adversity, but be able to triumph over it.

Myles Rowe: Yeah, you know, it just improved my faith, I think, spiritually a lot. You know, just knowing that that was what I could do, expecting that, and then having that transpire, you know, did a lot for just, you know, just faith and spiritually.

Bruce Martin: You spent time with Roger Penske after winning that race, and you also spent time on the Team Penske timing stand for the IndyCar race. What was that interaction like?

Myles Rowe: Yeah, it was all good vibes from everyone. Jonathan Duguid came over after the race and was very happy and came over for the celebration, which I appreciated a lot. And I've been on the wall for a while on the stand. And yeah, it was just good to be there with that success, obviously, and be able to watch Joseph do the same thing that night.

Bruce Martin: Do you have a little bit of an idea what the plan is for your future?

Myles Rowe: I don't, no. Everything's made unclear to me, but I'm working hard to make sure that it'll be set in stone and I'll be here next year.

Bruce Martin: But do you believe that you're ready for IndyCar next year, that you've shown what you can do in the ladder system, that next year is the year where you're ready to make the jump?

Myles Rowe: I do believe so. I mean, I've beaten all my teammates basically all my career. And I've been working very hard. I'm very due diligent. I think everybody knows that. That works closely with me. And yeah, I think I've proven that I'm ready.

Bruce Martin: And did you hear from people, athletes, and other sports about what you were able to do? And if so, what did they say?

Myles Rowe: Yeah, there was a lot of positive comments and everything all around social media and things. And that was good to see, just the influx of just people supporting that and really being behind that win, especially on Speed on Fox and everything and being driver of the week over the global heavyweights of like Marquez and Antonelli and such. So it was very good.

Bruce Martin: And also, you live in New York. The Knicks won the NBA championship. Did you take part in any of the celebration, or how excited were you to see them win the NBA championship?

Myles Rowe: Yeah, I was actually overseas, unfortunately, for that. It was very, very funny, the coincidence of timing. But yeah, I celebrated with my girlfriend, Antonia, and everything. We were extremely happy, because we both live in Brooklyn. And yeah, it was something all of my friends in New York, we just couldn't stop talking about, and we were super thrilled about.

Bruce Martin: Well, if you live in Brooklyn, doesn't it make you a Nets fan or are you a Knicks fan?

Myles Rowe: That's what they say, but I I'm Knicks all the way.

Bruce Martin: Yeah, well, Miles Rowe, we wish you all the best success throughout the 2026 season in Indian X and look forward to seeing you in IndyCar here real soon. And thank you for joining us on Pit Pass Indy.

Myles Rowe: Yeah, thank you.

Bruce Martin: Max Garcia is also at Abel Motorsports and talked about what Rowe's last to first win meant for the entire team. Even though it was Miles Rowe that won at Gateway, how big of a boost was it for Abel Motorsports to see what he was able to do in that car coming from last to first?

Max Garcia: Yeah, it was a huge confident boost for all of us, because it really shows where our car is at at this point in the season. For me personally, it was my first time in an oval like that, so it was just a huge learning experience. And it's really valuable to have probably the best oval driver in the series on our team. So it's something that I can go back and look at to prepare for Nashville.

Bruce Martin: Also, your team ran an IndyCar at the Indy 500 this year. The race has always thrived on teams that were able to come in and do a one-off, so do you see that as a possibility that they could maybe have two cars in next year's race?

Max Garcia: I'd hope so. You know, if I'm one of them, it'd be really cool. You know, I think it's still a long ways away. We need to focus on what's in front of us, obviously Road America race weekend. So that'll be a problem for a different day. All right. Thank you.

Bruce Martin: We'll be right back to Pit Pass Indy after this short break.

Josef Newgarden: Hey, everyone. This is two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, and you're listening to Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Bruce Martin: Welcome back to PitPass Indy, presented by Penske Truck Rental. And now, let's put the spotlight on Christian Lungard's weekend in Wisconsin. When he arrived on Friday, the driver from Denmark had high hopes of excelling at the 4.014-mile, 14-turn Road America course, as he tells me in this exclusive PitPass Indy interview. Christian Lungard, you've already won a race this season. We're at a track where I know that you really look forward to racing at, at Road America. And then after that, it's going to be Mid-Ohio. So how do you see this portion of the schedule stacking up for you?

Christian Lundgaard: I mean, considering we were good here last year, obviously we didn't get the results that I think we should or could have had. We're a competitive in mid-Ohio, obviously got the podium there. And I think we have a good stretch of races coming for us. And obviously, we tested here a week and a half ago. So we learned some things that other teams didn't. So we'll see how that goes.

Bruce Martin: Also, McLaren has been very competitive at this type of track. How do you see the entire operation doing well this weekend at Road America?

Christian Lundgaard: I mean, on top of the test, I think we've learned even more. And therefore, we're just building on last year. Obviously, the tire this year has been pretty good on road courses for us. I think we've preferred the alternates more than other cars have. So maybe that's an advantage. I don't really know. We haven't run those yet. So I guess we'll see.

Bruce Martin: And do you expect the landscape of IndyCar to look a lot different next year in terms of drivers and teams and the combinations?

Christian Lundgaard: Tough to tell. I don't really know how people's contracts are structured. I know that there's people ending at the end of this year. I know there's people ending at the end of next year. So, I mean, I don't really know. Obviously, we have the new car coming in in 28.

Bruce Martin: Christian Lungard, good luck and thank you for joining us on PitPass Indy. Thank you. Lungard struggled to find speed in Friday's practice and during Saturday's qualifications, although he did advance to the second round of qualifying. The Arrow McLaren driver started 12th and at the start of the race ran into the back of Scott Dixon's number nine PNC Bank Honda. Lungard's Chevrolet had a damaged front wing and a flat tire, and after repairs, it was last on lap one. 55 laps later, Lungard finished the race as the first to cross under the checkered flag. The winning driver joins me to explain how he did it in this exclusive Pit Pass Indy interview. From last on the first lap to first on the last lap, it's the Expel Grand Prix of Road America winner Christian Lungard. Christian, a lot of people may have given up after the incident you had with Scott Dixon on lap one that nearly put you a full lap down to the field, but you kept fighting back. And is the good thing about this track is at 4.014 miles in length, You have time to make changes on a car under green and maybe not go a lap down. Was that something that was a key for you to be able to battle back?

Christian Lundgaard: Yeah, I mean obviously getting the front wing changed and not go a lap down was huge for us. At the end of the day, it's just stay in it. IndyCar races are never over until you've crossed the start-finish line and the checkered flag. We've seen it multiple times with all the things that happen throughout IndyCar races. We saw Marcus Eriksson fly in the air in Nashville the first year. win the race from two laps down so everything is possible. It's just about taking the high-risk high-reward situations when you have nothing to lose and that was kind of us in that situation today.

Bruce Martin: So what did happen between you and Scott Dixon at the start of the race going into turn one?

Christian Lundgaard: Well, I ran into the back of him and destroyed my own front wing and punctured my front tire. I haven't seen it. So other than that, I don't know what to say.

Bruce Martin: And did you have trouble getting the car back around in order to get into the pits without falling a lap down? Because this is a long course.

Christian Lundgaard: Well, it doesn't help driving on three wheels.

Bruce Martin: Well, not only were you last after lap one, but throughout the weekend, you were the one Aero McLaren driver that was really struggling to find speed. Nolan Siegel, in practice, was the fastest of the three Aero McLaren drivers. What was it about the practices and qualifications leading in that your car was struggling?

Christian Lundgaard: It's an unanswered question. I'm still confused to where the performance in P1 and P2 was and even in qualifying. Qualifying was much better. But we were playing catch-up all weekend and still confused, still frustrated with how we ended up in that situation. So yeah, we got some work to do to figure that out.

Bruce Martin: So at the end of the race, it looks like David Maloukas, you, and Marcus Armstrong are all in contention for the victory. But it looked like Marcus was a little bit on cruise control. Then all of a sudden, when did you realize his car was in trouble, that it started to smoke oil, and the race was there for the taking?

Christian Lundgaard: Yeah he was actually already slow off of six and that's where I saw I was a lot closer to him than I'd been at any point. A lot more than the kind of the closing rate that I had the previous laps and then just slowed down. I knew he had an issue. I didn't actually expect. I thought it was a hybrid failure of some sort or he was having to save fuel. I don't know. But I feel bad for him. I feel like he did deserve to win.

Bruce Martin: Was his lead to the point where it would have been difficult for anybody to have caught him if he hadn't had the engine problem?

Christian Lundgaard: It would have been tough. I mean, it would have been cool to see what we could have brought to him at the end. But yeah, I mean, ifs, right?

Bruce Martin: Well, speaking of ifs, how about the tangible things that you have on your team? You've got Tony Kanaan as team principal, Kyle Moyer is calling your race strategy, is general manager, team manager at Arrow McLaren, and now Ryan Hunter-Reay has joined the team as sporting director. So how much has that dynamic really helped you this season?

Christian Lundgaard: Yeah, I feel like There's so much good in the team. There's so many good people, intelligent, experienced. There's a lot of race victories in the team. So it's just learn. And it's use it. These guys have the experience. And sometimes it is tough times. It's tough conversations. But that's where the results really come from. We need to have those at times. They've all done what we're trying to do, so we just need to do it more consistently.

Bruce Martin: And our last two questions with Christian Lundgaard, Errol McLaren. Your third career victory. At the beginning of the season, a lot of people would have thought that Pat O'Ward, your teammate, was going to be the driver that ended up on podiums and winning races. But instead, it's you. And I don't want to ask you if you're surprised by that, because every driver's out here to win himself. But do you see this as being a little bit of a unique situation at Errol McLaren?

Christian Lundgaard: Sure is. I mean, obviously, I know Pato has deserved more podiums than he has had this year. But again, it comes down to the situation and executing at the time. You know, obviously, we kind of took ourselves out at the beginning of the race and fought back. It's very similar to what happened at the end of GP frame. Obviously, he got taken out, but we're still continuing. And there's a lot of opportunities happening. So it's about being on the right sides of those situations and how you react afterwards and how you come back from it.

Bruce Martin: And last question for XFL Grand Prix at Road America race winner Christian Lungard. I believe I heard you say over the radio after you got the checkered flag. How did we do that? Is it still sitting here about an hour after the race has ended? Do you still wonder how you did it?

Christian Lundgaard: Yeah, I mean, I never, I mean, obviously Kyle Moorer told me that we're a second, a lot faster than the leaders at the time around the pit sequence, but I didn't really expect to go from 10th to second, essentially. So yeah, I mean, this is definitely one that will be rewatched a couple of times for me to understand and learn, because you never know when we're going to be in this situation again.

Bruce Martin: Well, Christian Lugardo, it was certainly a stunning victory here at Road America. Congratulations on your third career IndyCar Series win. Good luck at MidOhio coming up with the Honda Indy 200 at MidOhio. And thank you for joining us today on Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental.

Christian Lundgaard: Thank you.

Bruce Martin: And that puts a checkered flag on this edition of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental. We want to thank our guests, including XBEL Grand Prix of Road America winner Christian Lundgaard of Arrow McLaren, David Maloukas of Team Penske, Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing, this year's Indianapolis 500 winner Felix Rosenquist of Meyers Schenck Racing, Marcus Ericcson of Android eGlobal, Christian Rasmussen of ECR, Mick Schumacher of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and Arenas VeeKay of Juncos Hollinger Racing. Also, Indy next by Firestone drivers Miles Rowe and Max Garcia of Able Motorsports for joining us on this edition of Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental. Along with loyal listeners like you, our guests help make Pit Pass Indy presented by Penske Truck Rental your path to victory lane in IndyCar. On the highways, the raceways, and every pit stop in between, Penske Truck Rental keeps you moving forward. Gain ground with Penske. For more IndyCar coverage, follow me at X, previously known as Twitter, at BruceMartin, one word, uppercase B, uppercase M, underscore 500. This has been a production of Evergreen Podcast. A special thanks to our production team. Executive producers are Bridget Coyne and Gerardo Orlando. Recordings and edits were done by me, Bruce Martin, and final mixing was done by Sean Ruhle-Hoffman and Nathan Corson.