Long Beach could have a new king.
Mike Conway (leading) won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach for the second time in four years, becoming the unexpected winner of the 40th annual race.
Ryan Hunter-Reay dominated most of the race, but he triggered a seven-car accident 24 laps from the finish when he tried to overtake Josef Newgarden. The incident eliminated both Hunter-Reay and Andretti Autosport driver James Hinchcliffe – who were running 1-2 -- as well as Newgarden, rookie Jack Hawksworth and Tony Kanaan.
The accident opened the door for Scott Dixon to win at Long Beach for the first time. But he was short on fuel by roughly half a lap and stopped for a splash of E85 with two laps to go. That gave Conway the lead, and the British driver cruised to his third career victory.
Will Power finished less than a second behind Conway with rookie Carlos Munoz third and Juan Pablo Montoya fourth. Simon Pagenaud finished fifth after rebounding from an early race spin after contact by Power.
Power has a sizable points lead (93-66 over Conway) heading to the April 27 race at Barber Motorsports Park, where he has won twice and started on the pole twice. Hunter-Reay is the defending race winner.
Photography courtesy of Joe Skibinski / INDYCAR
