Rossi Claims Victory in Long Beach
The No. 27 NAPA AUTO PARTS team found their way to victory lane Sunday afternoon when Alexander Rossi crossed the finish line ahead of 23 IndyCar Series competitors in the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Leading into Rossi’s first-of-two hometown races, the California native had finished on the final step of the podium on both the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, and the short oval of Phoenix’s ISM Raceway. Heading into the race weekend second in championship points, NAPA Know How led the way and showed determination to take the championship lead during the practice sessions, never stepping outside of the top three.
The NAPA No. 27 team made it into the Firestone Fast Six and remained in the pit box until the final two minutes of qualifying, setting the fastest lap on their first run. The pole position is what the team’s sights were set on, and the pole position is what the NAPA AUTO PARTS team earned. With a fast lap of 1:06.5528, Rossi earned his second-career pole position in the Verizon IndyCar Series.
After starting from the first position, Rossi executed a flawless two-stop strategy race, leading 71 of the 85 laps. The 2016 Indy 500 winner became the first driver to win from the pole position at the Grand Prix of Long Beach since 2007 and scored the third victory for Andretti Autosport in the southern California city. When the 26 year-old saw the twin checkers fly, he took the lead of the Verizon IndyCar Series championship.
“I think the Watkins Glen car was pretty close to the car we had today, but man this Andretti Autosport team and the NAPA Know How crew…” said Rossi. “It’s unbelievable to win at Long Beach. I can’t really put into words how good the car was all weekend. I think we proved that and I’m just so glad we were able to capitalize and nothing crazy happened. It’s been a great weekend all around — we announced Crown Royal and the Wall of Gratitude, and then we put the NAPA AUTO PARTS Honda in victory lane, getting the win that I think the Military To Motorsports car should have had last weekend in Phoenix. On top of it all, I got to win in my home state of California in front of all my family and friends. It’s a good feeling right now.”
Start / Finish: 1 / 1
Points Earned: 43
Points Standing / Total: 1st / 126 pts.
Next Race: Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama – Sunday, April 22 @ 3:30 p.m. ET
How to Watch or Listen: NBC Sports Network or IndyCar Radio on SiriusXM
NAPA: @NAPARacing
Alexander Rossi: @AlexanderRossi
Andretti Autosport: @FollowAndretti
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Andretti Autosport, led by racing legend Michael Andretti, boasts a wide racing portfolio rooted in tradition and designed for success.
Under the banners of Andretti Autosport and Avalanche Andretti Formula E, the Indianapolis-based team fields multiple entries across the INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, the FIA Formula E World Championship and the IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 division. The team also competes as Walkinshaw Andretti United in the Australian Supercars category through partnership with Walkinshaw Racing and United Autosports additionally the team fields an entry in the Extreme E championship via Andretti United Extreme E.
The global racing enterprise boasts four INDYCAR SERIES championships, five Indy Light titles, one Pro Mazda championship, a Silver Class GT4 Championship and has captured victory five times at the famed Indianapolis 500. The team also holds two X Games Gold Medals and five U.S. rallycross championships.