One of the surprises of the NTT IndyCar Series season came from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Christian Lundgaard.
Despite the RLL organization struggling mightily to find speed during the first half of the season, Lundgaard was a bright spot as he finished eighth in the standings. By season’s end, the 21-year-old tallied nine top-10 finishes and an average finish of 10.5.
The highlight of the season for the second-year driver came in July at Toronto. Wheeling the No. 45 Honda, Lundgaard streaked to the pole position before dominating the race by leading a race-high 54 of the 85 laps.
It was his maiden NTT IndyCar Series victory. Once arriving in victory lane, Lundgaard shaved his mustache that he previously said wouldn’t be removed until he scored a win.
Lungaard finished the season with a strong sixth-place effort at California’s WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Next season will be Lungaard’s third full-time season in IndyCar.