Matt Brabham wins Indy Lights opener as Hunter McElrea crashes out of the lead
Matt Brabham has taken a dramatic victory in the Indy Lights opener in St. Petersburg as both of his Andretti Autosport teammates retired from the lead.
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The Australian moved up to third on the opening lap and was in prime position to take the race lead as leaders Hunter McElrea hit the wall and Christian Rasmussen ran out of fuel with less than two laps remaining.
Matthew Brabham celebrates his return to the top step of the Indy Lights podium. (Penske Entertainment)
Brabham led just the final two laps of the 45-lap Indy Lights opener in Florida to take his first victory since May 2014.
“First thing’s first, absolute heartbreak for my teammate Christian,” Brabham said.
“He had me in the race."
I couldn’t keep up."
"I could just stay in range, but not enough for the push-to-pass."
"I can’t imagine how he’s feeling."
"But for me, especially after being away for so long and coming back and having success like that, it’s unbelievable."
"I’m speechless."
"I’m pretty emotional.”
Matthew Brabham on the podium in St. Petersburg. (Penske Entertainment)
It was heartbreak on lap 44 for New Zealand's Hunter McElrea, who had led the race in dominant form from pole position.
McElrea crashed from the lead in turn 14 with the car stepping out in the final corner, sending his No. 27 Andretti Autosport entry into the wall.
From there the race was in the hands of Christian Rasmussen, who had started in fifth before sliding into second place on the first lap.
Rasmussen had a three-second lead over Brabham when he ran out of fuel, with Brabham narrowly missing contact with his stranded teammate's car.
“I just got lucky,” Brabham said.
“I was pushing."
"I was doing everything I could."
"I tagged the wall a few times, probably more than I should have."
"I’m just very lucky, and I’m so happy."
"I knew I was going to finish."
"It was just if I stuck it in the wall."
"Everyone was having issues out there."
"It was unbelievable.”
Brabham took the podium ahead of Benjamin Pedersen and Linus Lundqvist.
The Indy Lights Presented by Cooper tires series returns at Barber Motorsports Park on May 1.
