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Graham Rahal and Will Power React Differently to Intense Late Race Clash
Highlights
- Will Power earned third place, his 110th IndyCar podium
- Graham Rahal penalized for blocking, dropped to 23rd place
- Alex Palou finished fifth after a costly pit speeding penalty
- David Malukas finished second, extending Palou’s championship lead
- Alexander Rossi recovered from last to finish sixth
- Next race is July 5 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Graham Rahal loses a near-certain podium on the final lap at Road America after contact with Will Power, then receives a blocking penalty that drops him to 23rd. Power claims third.
The flashpoint comes at Turn 12, Canada Corner, with Rahal defending third and Power attacking. Contact spins Rahal’s No. 15 MSC Industrial Supply Honda into the gravel as Power continues.
Race control penalizes Rahal for blocking, demoting him from third at the flag to 23rd. Power’s result stands, delivering his 110th NTT INDYCAR SERIES podium and second of the season.
Rahal acknowledges he defends robustly yet argues Power has space to his left before the contact. The penalty also dents a season that has marked a clear resurgence this season.
“Was I blocking? Heck, yeah. It’s the last lap.” — Graham Rahal
Power counters that he is already at the limit under braking and cannot avoid Rahal’s move. The Australian suggests the clash takes him by surprise and calls it an unfortunate outcome.
The podium offers needed relief for Power after a difficult opening phase. He entered the weekend 17th in points and is still settling with Andretti Global after 17 years at Team Penske.
Power insists the underlying pace has been present despite results. His recent progress now converts to a concrete boost in momentum at Road America.
Will Power’s third place marks his 110th IndyCar podium, fourth on the all-time list.
Up front, Alex Palou controls the opening 13 laps from pole before a pit speeding penalty on Lap 29 derails his win bid. A timely caution limits the damage to a drive-through hit.
“Huge mistake by my side,” admits Alex Palou after his pit speeding penalty.
Palou recovers to fifth in the No. 10 DHL Ganassi Honda and still grows his championship advantage. He now leads by 60 points over David Malukas, who finishes second for the fifth time.
Alexander Rossi turns a back-row start into sixth after a six-place grid penalty for an engine change. Despite ongoing lower-leg recovery, he secures his fourth top-10 of the year.
Scott McLaughlin takes seventh for Team Penske, his third top-10 in four starts. Josef Newgarden’s ninth on the road becomes 22nd after a post-race avoidable-contact penalty.
Rahal’s blocking penalty reshapes the final order and his championship trajectory in one lap.
The series heads to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 5. A June 24 test includes Andretti Global, Dale Coyne, ECR, Juncos Hollinger, Meyer Shank w/Curb Agajanian, and Team Penske.
All plan to run full-time entries, valuable mileage as form evolves. For Rahal and Power, the Canada Corner clash will linger as both seek cleaner execution in the title grind.
Visual Summary
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Podium Dreams Spun Away
Rahal crashes out on final lap
Power powers to P3 ➡️
Rahal crashes out on final lap
Power powers to P3 ➡️
P3 ➡️ P23
Rahal’s last-lap heartbreak
110th Podium
Will Power Surges
Palou +60pts
Champ Lead
Rahal (?):
“Was I blocking? Heck, yeah. It’s the last lap… Disappointing to get run into.”
Power (?):
“I could not do anything. It took me by surprise… That’s what caused it.”
⬆️
Rossi: P25 ➡️ P6
Rossi: P25 ➡️ P6
Recovered from last to his season best while still injured
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Palou escapes penalty for P5
Palou escapes penalty for P5
Maintains title grip after pit exit error
NEXT: Mid-Ohio – July 5
Testing restarts June 24
Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.
