In a processional second race of the 2024 Iowa double-header, a thrilling crash on the final lap marred an otherwise uneventful event. Will Power emerged as the race winner, defeating championship leader Alex Palou.

The incident unfolded when Alexander Rossi, running in eighth place, suddenly slowed down, resulting in a high-speed collision with Sting Ray Robb. Robb's car, a DW12, catapulted into the air in a terrifying fashion, barrel-rolled upon landing, and skidded down the straight after regaining contact with the ground. The impact sent Rossi careening across the track, collecting the cars of Ed Carpenter and Kyle Kirkwood. Remarkably, all three drivers involved in the crash - Rossi, Carpenter, and Kirkwood - received immediate medical attention but were quickly released.

While the crash caused substantial damage, Robb, amidst being stretchered away from the accident scene, was reported by IndyCar to be "awake, alert, and in good condition." However, to ensure his well-being, he was airlifted to a local hospital as a precautionary measure.

The race took place in scorching sun, swapping the night race scheduled for Saturday. The high temperatures and tire degradation added to the challenge, but the excitement on track failed to materialize. For the first 100 laps of the 250-lap race, little action transpired, with drivers conserving their tires and fuel due to the durable nature of the rubber and the lack of overtaking opportunities on the one-lane track following a recent repaving.

Palou seized the lead during the initial round of pit stops, capitalizing on the caution caused by Agustin Canapino's spun car. Meanwhile, Power's strategic decision to delay his pit stop paid off, catapulting him from 19th to second after pitting under yellow flags.

With Palou, the initial leader, and Power at the front, the rest of the race saw Palou mostly in control, with limited passing opportunities during restarts and brief moments of greater grip thanks to tire marbles being cleared from the track surface. However, during the final round of pit stops, Power gained a small advantage due to a significant swing in timing during inlap, time in the pits, and outlap. This move ultimately allowed Power to cross the finish line just ahead of Palou, clinching his first oval triumph in five years since his victory at Pocono in 2019.

The win provided a notable turnaround for Power, who faced challenges during Saturday's race. Penalized for speeding in the pits and involved in a collision with Pietro Fittipaldi under caution, Power found himself finishing in 18th place. However, with this victory, Power catapulted back to the second position in the standings, narrowing the gap to Palou to 35 points.

While the race lacked significant drama until the final lap crash, the thrilling conclusion served as a stark reminder of the inherent risks involved in IndyCar racing. As the drivers recover and regroup, anticipation mounts for the next race on the calendar, with fans eagerly awaiting further action and competition on the track.