Making History at COTA’s First IndyCar Classic Weekend

by James Stacy on March 28, 2019 in Lifestyle, Sports, Living Texas, Austin,
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A devoted crowd of fans headed to Austin’s Circuit of the Americas track March 22-24 for a historic weekend of racing. The first running of the IndyCar Classic at COTA had the youngest winner in series history as American driver Colton Herta, 18 years old, took first spot in just his third start.

All photography courtesy James Stacy

Friday, March 22

Kyle Kaiser of Juncos Racing during Friday’s practice of the inaugural 2019 Indy Car Classic at the Circuit of the Americas. Photo James Stacy
Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Autosport. Photo James Stacy
Tony Kanaan of A.J. Foyt Enterprises during Friday’s practice. Photo James Stacy
Will Power of Team Penske followed by Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing. Photo James Stacy
Alexander Rossi of Andretti Autosport during Friday’s practice. Photo James Stacy

Saturday, March 23

Will Power of Team Penske before Saturday’s Qualifying. Power ends up taking pole for Sunday’s race. Photo James Stacy
Zach Veach of Andretti Autosport before qualifying. Photo James Stacy
Arena rock stars Muse topped the bill Saturday night at COTA. Lead singer Matt Bellamy with his fiancé Elle Evans took in some of the qualifying rounds Saturday afternoon. Photo James Stacy
Rookie Colton Herta of Harding Steinbrenner Racing during Saturday’s practice laps. Photo James Stacy
Marco Andretti of Andretti Autosport during Saturday’s practice. Photo James Stacy

Sunday March 24

2019 IndyCar Classic at the Circuit of the Americas winner Colton Herta becomes the youngest winner in IndyCar history at 18 years old. This is only his third series race. Photo James Stacy
Second place finisher Josef Newgarden of Team Penske. Photo James Stacy
After starting in pole position, and set to win, Will Power gets knocked out with a drive shaft failure on lap 45. Photo James Stacy
Third place finisher Ryan Hunter-Reay, of Andretti Autosport, being chased down by Graham Rahal. Photo James Stacy
IndyCar Classic winner Colton Herta signing the IndyCar series camera. Photo James Stacy

All photography courtesy James Stacy


Cover: The 2019 IndyCar Classic at the Circuit of the Americas podium champagne celebration. From left, Josef Newgarden (Team Penske) 2nd, Colton Herta (Harding Racing) 1st and Ryan Hunter-Reay (Andretti Autosport) 3rd. Photo James Stacy