LEXINGTON — His team’s two-stop pit strategy was perfect and his driving was flawless all weekend long.
The only thing Alexander Rossi needs to work on his his postrace celebration.
Rossi dominated from the pole during Sunday’s Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, winning by more than 12 seconds over rookie Robert Wickens for his second victory this season. He led for 66 of 90 laps, reclaiming the lead for good on lap 65 after Wickens ducked onto pit road for his third and final stop of the caution-free afternoon.
It was all Rossi from there.
The only hiccup of the afternoon came when Rossi attempted a celebratory doughnut. He spun into the grass and stalled.
“It’s a pretty narrow track so the only place (to attempt the doughnut) was the access road,” Rossi said during his postrace interview. “The grass had a drop on us.”
Winner of the 2016 Indianapolis 500, Rossi was the only driver in the 24-car field to attempt a two-stop strategy. He pitted on lap 59.
“We knew we could two-stop if we committed early,” Rossi said. “You couldn’t try and do a two-stop if you pushed for the first 12 laps. You’ve just got to stay the course.”
Wickens led for a total of 15 laps and Will Power, who finished third, led the other nine.
“I think I would have been able to challenge (Rossi) if I had a clear third stint. I think we lost a good 10 or so seconds,” Wickens said. “We knew going in that … the only risk of a three stop was not having clear air. Unfortunately the third sting we got stuck behind (Takuma) Sato on new reds (tires). He was just quick enough that I couldn’t do anything and I had to wait basically 10 or 15 laps … to finally make a move.
“It was just a frustrating stint.”
Power finished less than two seconds behind Wickens.
“We had a strong finish, but so did every other championship contender,” said Power, who is fourth in the series standings with 407 points. “That’s how it seems to go towards the end of the championship. If you haven’t made the ground you need to make early in the year, it’s always a struggle in the end.”
Scott Dixon, who made his 300th career start, finished fifth and leads the series with 494 points. Rossi (448) is second while Josef Newcarden, who finished fourth Sunday, is third with 434.
With four races remaining, Rossi said there is still time to reel in Dixon. The series heads to Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania on Aug. 19 for the ABC Supply 500.
“Sonomo (in the season finale on Sept. 16) brings in so many different possibilities with it being double points,” Rossi said. “(Dixon) is excellent at what he does, but you’ve got to capitalize on your good days and his not-so-good days.
“If we keep winning races and keep having the pace we’ve had all year, the rest will take care of itself.”
