Kiwi Scott McLaughlin has achieved his ninth Indycar podium finish - and second of the year - to finish second in the opening race at Iowa.
Back in sixth, veteran Scott Dixon enjoyed mixed blessings, closing the gap on runaway championship leader Alex Palou, but losing second on the standings to racewinner Josef Newgarden.
Starting the day 117 points behind Palou, six-time champion Dixon trimmed three points from his deficit by finishing two spots ahead of his rival, but could not hold off Newgarden, who is now won five times at the Iowa Speedway.
McLaughlin qualified second fastest, behind Will Power, and contested the lead throughout the 250-lap journey, without ever quite moving ahead of the field.
After a successful Aussie Supercars career, he has had to learn how to race on oval tracks, but showed he has come a long way in that regard, thanks to teammate Newgarden, who has now won all three short-track events so far this season.
"I have to thank Josef and congrats to him for winning the race," said McLaughlin. "During the week, we sat down and really went over everything, and it really helped me today.
"I learnt a ton today. I really want to beat that guy and I'm going to be trying everything I can to beat him, but he's the epitome of a great teammate and I really appreciate the help he's given me."
Newgarden has now won five of his last six short-track events - his only loss came through mechanical difficulties, while leading at Iowa last year.
After qualifying fourth, Dixon was disappointed with his performance, as he chases a record seventh Indycar crown.
"The second stint was really strong," he said. "We caught the leaders - by that point, we were a lap down - we stayed with them, and passed one or two of the top ones.
"We were maybe a top-five car at best, which is kind of frustrating. We had hoped to be a little bit better."
The racers return to the track on Monday (NZ time) for the second of two events at Iowa.
