Christian Lundgaard wins Honda Indy Toronto for first victory of IndyCar season

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Christian Lundgaard couldn’t wait to shave off his moustache, removing the hair from his upper lip right there on victory lane at the Honda Indy Toronto.

Lundgaard started on the pole and took advantage of the car troubles of IndyCar season standings leader Alex Palou to hang on to victory Sunday. His first win on North America’s top open-wheel racing circuit also brought to an end a pact with his best friend to keep his moustache until he climbed atop an IndyCar podium.

Lundgaard said he was happy to be rid of the facial hair.

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Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Christian Lundgaard, of Denmark, celebrates after winning the Honda Indy auto race in Toronto, Sunday, July 16, 2023.  (Andrew Lahodynskyj/The Canadian Press via AP)

"But I haven’t seen it yet, so I don’t really know what it looks like," said the 21-year-old Dane, who rubbed his upper lip throughout the postrace news conference. "I guess I’ll wait and see."

Lundgaard took the pole Saturday as steady rain made the street course around Toronto’s Exhibition Place slippery. The son of 2000 European rally car champion Henrik Lundgaard, the IndyCar sophomore took advantage of his off-roading background to secure the No. 1 start position in the race.

But after qualifying, Lundgaard was pessimistic about having the fastest car in the actual race. Ultimately, he felt he had the race under control from start to finish.

"We struggle, especially on the super speedways," said Lundgaard, who led the race for 53 of the 85 laps. "We’re moving forward even though we don’t have the pace and performance on the super speedways.

"It just