Newgarden cleans up in IndyCar series opener

The 2019 IndyCar season kicked off at St.Petersburg on Sunday where Penske's Josef Newgarden hit the ground running.

Driving the No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet, Newgarden went for an extended middle-race stint that hande the 28-year-old a strategic edge over fellow front-runners Scott Dixon and Will Power in the second part of the 110-lap race around St.Pete's 14-turn 1.8-mile street circuit.

It was Penske's 204th triumph in the series and Newgarden's 11th career win.

Former Sauber F1 driver Marcus Ericsson endured a low key IndyCar debut, the Schmidt-Peterson driver - who had qualified P18 - retiring from the race after 56 laps following a mechanical issue.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.