The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway delivered high-octane action and drama as six different drivers led the race over 206 laps, but in the final moments, it was Colton Herta who made a daring move to snatch victory from Pato O’Ward. Herta’s stunning pass on lap 203 secured his first career oval victory, sending him soaring to second place in the championship standings behind newly crowned champion Alex Palou.
Herta, a California native who now calls Nashville home, maneuvered his No. 26 Honda to a 1.8-second victory margin over Arrow McLaren’s O’Ward and hometown hero Josef Newgarden from Team Penske. The Andretti Global driver used impeccable driving technique off the corners to set up his race-winning pass.
“The whole race, I was getting my passing done off the corners,” Herta explained. “I was really able to drive middle to exit, get the power down nicely, and when the opportunity came, I had just enough room to make it happen.”
O’Ward, who had stayed out during a late caution, was unable to hold off Herta in the closing laps, settling for second while Newgarden, a Tennessee native, rounded out the podium.
While Herta celebrated his victory, Will Power’s title hopes came crashing down early in the race. On lap 12, a rare safety belt malfunction forced Power to pit, losing five laps while his team scrambled to resolve the issue. By the time he rejoined the race, Power’s championship bid was all but over. Power, ever the sportsman, congratulated Palou in victory lane, marking the Chip Ganassi driver’s third IndyCar title in four years.
Power, who finished 24th, eight laps down, was philosophical about the mechanical issue that thwarted his season. “I’ve had engine failures and gearbox failures, but a belt failure? That’s a new one,” Power said. “But a big congrats to Alex. He’s a tough guy to beat, and we’ll come back fighting next year.”
Palou, meanwhile, had a near-perfect run, improving from his 24th-place starting position to finish 11th, securing back-to-back championships and further cementing his dominance in the IndyCar series.
How It Happened:
- Early Drama: Kyle Kirkwood started from pole with Newgarden hot on his heels. Power initially ran third but soon dropped back, and Palou, starting from P24, began his charge through the field.
- Power’s Championship Ends: On lap 12, Power’s lap belt came loose, requiring a lengthy pit stop that dashed his hopes of overtaking Palou for the championship.
- Key Caution: Felix Rosenqvist’s lap 56 crash brought out the caution, bunching up the field and setting the stage for strategy calls that would define the race.
- Herta’s Rise: After the field pitted under yellow, Herta positioned himself in the top four and began his pursuit of the lead, eventually overtaking O’Ward in the final laps.
- Palou Seals the Deal: While Herta surged to victory, Palou strategically worked his way to 11th, securing the 2024 IndyCar championship by finishing ahead of Power.
- Final Laps: In the closing laps, it came down to Herta and O’Ward, with Herta executing a flawless overtake on lap 203 to secure his first oval win and second in the championship.
As the 2024 season comes to an end, the focus now shifts to the offseason, where driver changes and team evolutions will shape the grid for the next IndyCar season.
Herta’s victory in Nashville not only marks a major milestone in his career but also hints at a bright future for the Andretti driver. Meanwhile, Palou’s continued dominance solidifies his place as the driver to beat heading into 2025.
