Arrow McLaren rookie Nolan Siegel put collectively his finest race within the IndyCar Collection to this point final Saturday night time.
Within the shadow of The Gateway Arch, the proficient 19-year-old California native climbed from twentieth on the beginning grid to complete seventh — a career-best outcome, and his first-ever top-10 in IndyCar. Even nonetheless, Siegel couldn’t assist however lament a pricey pit highway penalty that saved him from battling for a potential podium.
“It was my finest outcome within the NTT IndyCar Collection to this point with a top-10. The automotive was superior all day, however sadly, I made a mistake dashing on pit lane and that value us a podium — or much more. I am a bit dissatisfied, however it’s good to be dissatisfied with a seventh-place outcome.”
The outcome got here in simply Siegel’s eighth begin ever (six with Arrow McLaren), however his first with Brian Campe calling technique. (Robert Gue beforehand held the position, however left the group final week to discover different choices.) Campe joined after serving because the technical director of Hendrick Motorsports, having additionally referred to as technique for Kyle Larson’s maiden Indianapolis 500 again in Could. He brings a stacked resumé that features a position as race engineer for Juan Pablo Montoya’s 2015 Indianapolis 500 victory and as chief engineer on Josef Newgarden’s first IndyCar title in 2017.
Siegel was the lone vibrant spot on a tricky night time for Arrow McLaren: a mechanical challenge took out a robust run for Pato O’Ward after 42 laps, and Alexander Rossi was concerned within the carnage that broke out on a controversial restart with 9 laps to go.
Crew Principal Gavin Ward mentioned: “Felt like we had three vehicles able to ending within the prime 5 as we speak, however it did not go our approach.”
