Christian Lundgaard says that his win in Sunday’s Honda Indy Toronto was a long time coming. He felt like they were on the cusp of breaking out at any moment. While even he felt like Toronto was an unexpected place to pick up his first career win at, his peers weren’t all that shocked.

Second place finisher Colton Herta raved about Lundgaard’s talent, respect and professionalism in the series and says that he’s as comfortable racing around him than really anyone else.

“He is one of the cleanest guys to race against,” said Herta. “Rarely makes a mistake and runs into you. So, yeah, I have enjoyed racing with him. He’s been very clean to me. He has been great. Obviously, a fast driver.

“I think it was the second pole and then his first win, so he has been knocking on the door for a while now. I think you might see a very different Lundgaard when he walks in here. I’ll let you see, but he might be a little different.”

Third place finisher Alex Palou agreed.

“Yeah, I agree. I just had clean battles with him,” Palou said. “At the Indy road course we went back and forth a lot, and he was all clean. Yeah, he has been knocking on that door.

“So, yeah, glad that he got it.”

Even his boss, Bobby Rahal had nothing but great things to say about his second year driver.

“I have to tell you, from day one that Christian joined us, I was always impressed with his work ethic,” he said. “I think it’s very clear he wants to win, and he puts the effort in that’s needed, whether it’s on or off track.

“He does great work for Hy-Vee. They ask a lot, and rightfully so, but he is there.

“Christian gets it. He is a young guy, but he understands. I think this win, all this does is as a driver the first time you win a big race it’s like, okay, wow, I can do that, and I can do it again.

“This whole year Christian has been just a joy to work with because every day when you see Christian, you know you’re going to get 100%, and that to me is what it’s all about.”