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Pato O’Ward ended a wait of 714 days for an on-the-road IndyCar win – and that’s partly down to him and the team no longer having to chase the impossible, as he explains to The Race…
After 714 days without an IndyCar win, Pato O’Ward finally secured victory at Mid-Ohio last weekend. 2022 started promisingly for O’Ward, who became the primary driver at McLaren’s IndyCar team, following Alex Palou’s move to Ganassi. Despite initial success with a third-place finish in St. Petersburg, challenges followed until his recent triumph. The 714-day winless streak, dating back to Iowa in July 2022, was a heavy burden for O’Ward and the team, leading to questions and pressure. O’Ward’s dedication to his fans and high personal expectations added to the weight of not winning. Despite some errors in previous races, O’Ward’s perseverance and relief at ending the drought are apparent.
