LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Pato O’Ward controlled his career trajectory at the start of the IndyCar season. Win the championship, the thinking went, and perhaps earn the license he needs to eventually move to Formula One.
Instead, he went into the season-opening race upset over his contract with Arrow McLaren SP and it showed on the track. He was 12th at St. Petersburg. He returned to Texas as the d…