Rookie Robert Megennis Wins First Indy Lights Career Race

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Pole sitter Robert Megennis fended off early challengers and put in a masterful drive to earn his first career victory in the opening race for Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

The 19-year-old New York native and pilot of the No. 27 Andretti Autosport Dallara IL-15 entry was immediately under pressure from teammate and points leader Oliver Askew (No. 28 Andretti Autosport), who put on a well-timed move for the lead entering Turn 1 on Lap 3 of 30. However, Megennis mirrored the exact same move put on him moments later, regaining the lead on Lap 5 and outpaced the field to win by 1.9523 seconds over Askew.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Megennis said. “If there’s anywhere you want to win, you want to win at Indy. It’s a dream come true to be sitting here on the podium.”

With cold temperatures and overcast, optimal grip from the Cooper Tires were tougher than usual, so the pass back for the lead on Askew was pivotal for Megennis.

“It’s so hard to follow in these cars with the aero wash,” Megennis added. “I knew if I sat behind (Askew) for another two or three laps, I wasn’t getting by him. I used five push-to-pass in two laps just to try and get around him and get gone because I knew we had very similar pace.

“The track is so cold it takes forever for stuff to get up to temperature. So when it does, you are where you are at that point.”

Click here to continue reading.