2025 St. Pete IndyCar Season Opener: Discover the Exciting Winners and Surprising Losers!

After a long wait since the 2024 season finale in Nashville, the NTT IndyCar Series kicked off the new season in St. Petersburg, Florida. With FOX Sports now on board and a tense street race unfolding, fans had plenty to talk about.

Some drivers left the event feeling optimistic, eyeing upcoming races, while others found themselves in tough spots due to crashes and pit problems. Let’s break down the notable winners and losers from the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Loser: Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon faced a challenging race as he had no radio communications, making it hard for him to gauge fuel levels. He had a strong strategy, being ahead of his competitor Alex Palou for a good part of the race. However, he missed a crucial pit stop call and lost time. This mistake prevented him from claiming his first victory in St. Petersburg.

Winner: Veteran Drivers in the Mix

The top three finishers included Alex Palou, Josef Newgarden, and Scott Dixon. Combined, they boast 11 championships and over 100 race wins. Their strong performances hint that they are all serious contenders for this season’s championship.

Loser: Scott McLaughlin’s Untimely Yellow Flag

Scott McLaughlin started the race in pole position, but a yellow flag threw off his momentum. He couldn’t pit strategically due to tire choices and finished fourth. Despite a strong start, luck didn’t favor him this time.

Loser: O’Ward and Herta Struggle

Both Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta have had their share of success in St. Petersburg before, but this year was different. O’Ward qualified in 23rd and dealt with a tire puncture early in the race. He finished 11th. Herta’s race was similarly derailed from pit road issues, leaving him in 16th place. Both will need to regroup to stay competitive this season.

Winner: New Beginnings for VeeKay and Rossi

Rinus VeeKay finished ninth in his first race with Dale Coyne Racing. Meanwhile, Alexander Rossi, in his debut with the No. 20 team, snagged a respectable 10th place. Both drivers can build on these positive results moving forward.

Loser: Will Power’s Early Crash

Will Power celebrated his birthday on race day but met with disappointment. He crashed just moments into the race after not avoiding a slowing car. This incident ended his race prematurely in 27th place.

Winner: Chip Ganassi Racing’s AI Partnership

Chip Ganassi Racing made headlines by partnering with OpenAI, a leader in artificial intelligence. This collaboration aims to enhance the team’s operations, potentially reshaping how they approach efficiency and strategy in IndyCar racing.

The start of the season has offered excitement and challenges. With veterans performing well and rookies finding their footing, fans have plenty to look forward to as the IndyCar Series progresses.