Pagenaud overcomes contact to win at Barber Motorsports

Simon Pagenaud, of Montmorillon, France, rounds the track during the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama auto race, Sunday, April 24, 2016, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) (The Associated Press)

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Simon Pagenaud, of France, center, cheers his first place win on the podium with Graham Rahal of New Albany, Ohio, left, in second place and Josef Newgarden, of Hendersonville, Tenn., right, in third place after the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama auto race, Sunday, April 24, 2016, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) (The Associated Press)

Simon Pagenaud, of Montmorillon, France, celebrates as he hugs his teammate after he wins the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama auto race, Sunday, April 24, 2016, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) (The Associated Press)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Simon Pagenaud led most of the way and overcame late contact with Graham Rahal to win at Barber Motorsports Park Sunday for his second straight victory.

Pagenaud lost the lead briefly after contact with Rahal and was attempting to work past him outside on Turn 15. Rahal appeared to clip Jack Hawksworth, who was a lap down, and his left front wing fell onto the track. He managed to recover and hold off defending champion Josef Newgarden to finish second.

But Rahal couldn't challenge Pagenaud again.

Pagenaud started on the pole and led 84 of the 90 laps at the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, but had to overcome a dustup with Rahal, who was trying to give Honda its first win of the year.