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Working his way up to the lead from tenth, the 2024 Portland race looked like a carbon copy of Nick Cassidy's victory from 12 months ago. Heading on to the penultimate lap it was Jaguar TCS Racing driver in first as Mitch Evans was all over the rear of his teammate, seemingly no team orders on the cards despite a five-second penalty coming for Evans.
The New Zealander took defensive lines to cover off his compatriot into the first turns. Still, even though the victory looked in his hands it slipped from his grasp as they rounded the Portland International Raceway into the final corners. A chunk of kerb unsettled Cassidy as he lost the rear in the tricky Turn 11 he touched the grass and spun out.
REPORT: Da Costa profits as late error costs standings leader Cassidy Round 13 win
Gifting the lead to Evans, the victory would end up in the hands of TAG Heuer Porsche's Antonio Felix da Costa. The Portuguese driver picked up his third win in four races.
It was a simple mistake for Cassidy but has proven somewhat costly. Had he held on to the lead for just one more lap he'd be heading into Sunday's race with a 50-point advantage rather than just under a race win's worth of points over Pascal Wehrlein.