Arrow McLaren 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Race Report
Streets of Long Beach
Race date: Sunday, April 21
Round: 3/18
Total laps: 85
Total race distance: 167.30 mi/269.24 km
Length: 1.97 mi/3.17 km
Number of turns: 11
Alexander Rossi, No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Starting position: P14
Finishing position: P10
Championship position: 9th, 44 points
“We had a tough weekend dealing with some unique situations. We made some good steps overnight, into the warm-up and into the race. There will always be a check-up when you start that far back and unfortunately, Pato didn’t have anywhere to go. It was just one of those accordion moments. We shifted into recovery mode from there and the team did a good job to hang in and get us into the top 10.”
Théo Pourchaire, No. 6 onsemi Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Starting position: P22
Finishing position: P11
Championship position: 22nd, 19 points
“What a crazy, crazy race. We had a strong performance and I’m very happy. The No. 6 onsemi Arrow McLaren Chevy team was awesome today and we were able to take it from 22nd to 11th. This championship and the racing is amazing and I hope to be back in the future. I learned quite a bit throughout the race. It’s pure racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and it is a dream come true to be competing with Arrow McLaren, which is such a legendary brand and race team. I’m quite emotional, but it is amazing. I don’t realize it yet, but I’m super happy.”
Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Starting position: P14
Finishing position: P16
Championship position: 6th, 54 points
“First, I’m sorry to the Arrow McLaren team. I limited our ability to push for strong results today – at least for two cars. I take full responsibility for a tough race, but it will be a quick turn to Barber where we’ll regroup and look to bounce back.”
Gavin Ward, Team Principal
“That was a mixed bag of a race for us. When you qualify in the middle of the pack, you expose yourself to some first lap incidents and that’s what happened with us. Pato took accountability for the incident with Alexander, and Alexander knows Pato got checked up. Not the day he and the No. 5 Chevy team were looking for, but I have no doubt they’ll bounce back.
“Then, the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet car and crew had a heck of a race. There was some significant damage done to the car, but they made the most of it with great strategy and execution. That’s the kind of day you need when things aren’t going your way.
“I was super impressed with Théo and with his approach the entire weekend. He kept his nose clean, showed some good pace and learned a lot. The smile and joy is infectious, and it’s hard not to smile thinking about his debut.
Next week we go to Barber, where we were fast at the test. Let’s go fight for the win there.”
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
