(Virtual) INDIANAPOLIS — Going into Turn 3 on the final lap of the First Responder 175 at the virtual Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it looked like Marcus Ericsson made the race-winning pass on the Arrow McLaren SP duo of Patricio O’Ward and Oliver Askew.
But O’Ward drove into the back of Ericsson, and Askew took the lead with Santino Ferrucci right behind. But on the front stretch with the checkered flag waving, Ferrucci slammed into Askew, and both drivers wrecked. Australia Supercars driver Scott McLaughlin avoided the carnage and crossed the finish line before anyone else with Conor Daly in second.
Breaking down the wild finish at @IMS!@Ericsson_Marcus gets turned by @PatricioOWard, then @SantinoFerrucci turns @Oliver_Askew.@SMcLaughlin93 won in the final 100 feet! @iRacing #INDYCARChallenge pic.twitter.com/2XsimOYgWO
— IndyCar on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 2, 2020
For most of the race, it looked like Will Power had control. But untimely cautions ruined any pit strategy that was taking place. The final 10-lap stint was a straight-up dash to the finish, and at one point, the three AMSP drivers — including Formula 1 driver Lando Norris — were in line to sweep the podium.
"I did not expect to do that." @SantinoFerrucci talks about his contact with @Oliver_Askew that ultimately cost both of them a shot at the win coming to the yard of bricks at @IMS. pic.twitter.com/3VYpPdg2kC
— IndyCar on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 2, 2020
Ferrucci ended up third and apologized to Askew on the NBC Sports broadcast. The second-year driver said he “did not expect to do that,” and it was “definitely (Askew’s) race.”
Askew said Ferrucci owes him a glass of milk for costing him the win:
@SantinoFerrucci you owe me a glass of milk, bud.
— Oliver Askew (@Oliver_Askew) May 2, 2020
Power was one of the top iRacers in the six-event series but never won. The Indy race was the only one in which he failed to finish in the top-10.
IndyCar hasn’t announced any further iRacing events, but it might be wise to in the coming days as the series doesn’t plan to run on a real track again until June 6 at Texas Motor Speedway.
McLaughlin is a two-time winner in the IndyCar iRacing Challenge. He won the second race, which occurred at the virtual Barber Motorsports Park, and his Indy victory made Chevrolet 5-for-6 in the challenge. The one track that wasn’t won by the bowties was the Circuit of The Americas last weekend when Norris won. His entry’s manufacturer was listed as Dallara, which builds the IndyCar Series’ chassis.
Altogether, here are the winners of each iRacing Challenge round:
Watkins Glen International: Sage Karam
Barber: Scott McLaughlin
Michigan International Speedway: Simon Pagenaud
Twin Ring Motegi: Simon Pagenaud
COTA: Lando Norris
IMS: Scott McLaughlin
Saturday’s event was a pleasant way to excite the fanbase because it proved that racing at IMS can still occur even during a worldwide health pandemic. However, that’s also what makes it sad. There won’t be any real Indy cars zooming around the 2.5-mile oval this month. There won’t be any partying happening in Speedway, Indiana. There will be no milk celebration.
But sim racing has been the best way to fill the void, and NBC Sports did a tremendous job broadcasting the races to make things seem normal. Hopefully, in August, race fans will get to live the real-life excitement again that only the real Indy 500 can produce.
