French IndyCar driver Simon Pagenaud led most of the way and overcame late contact with Graham Rahal to win the Grand Prix of Alabama.

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.

American driver Rahal managed to recover and hold off defending champion Josef Newgarden to finish second while Australia’s Will Power was fourth.

Series points leader Pagenaud started on the pole and led 84 of the 90 laps.

Team Penske’s Pagenaud appeared to inch over in an attempt to block Rahal, who made contact with the Frenchman’s right rear with eight laps to go.

Pagenaud, who also won last week at Long Beach, went into the grass before working his way back to the front.