“After I took that second set of blacks, the Firestone primary tires, I started to get in sync with the car and the balance started coming to me. I was really worried in the beginning because we were really loose, and then as I got into a rhythm, the car was doing everything I needed it to – everything. When we started that last stint, (Alexander) Rossi was more than a straightaway ahead of us. I couldn’t even see him. I just put my head down and this thing was flying. It was such a great car. I’m so happy for this No. 28 DHL Honda team. This car deserves to be where it is right now. That was a heck of a car, a heck of a strategy, my crew was great in pit lane and I drove my rear end off. That was going to be a heck of a fight at the end – it’s a bummer Rossi wasn’t on the podium with me. I wish my wife and the boys were here to celebrate with me because this has been a long time coming and would have loved to have shared this moment with them.”
In dominating fashion, Ryan Hunter-Reay returned to Victory Circle after leading 18 laps in Detroit’s Dual 2. On a three-stop strategy, the DHL machine worked its way through the field and capitalized on clean air to gain advantage over competitors.
The race saw only three leaders, including pole sitter Alexander Rossi. Between Hunter-Reay and Rossi, the team led 64 of today’s 70 laps. After leading 46 laps, Rossi found himself in trouble when an issue with the car forced him to the run-off. Rossi limped his way back to the pits on Lap 64 for a quick tire change and eventually saw the checkered flag in 12th.
- STARTED: 10th // FINISHED: 1st
- CHAMPIONSHIP: 4th (278 pts.)
- OF NOTE: Earned his 17th career win and first since 2015 when the DHL machine crossed the finish line // Led 18 laps of the 70-lap race
Leaving Motor City having occupied each step of the podium over two races, the Andretti team looks to build on their championship standings Saturday with 248-laps under the Texas Motor Speedway lights.
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