Sunday’s win represented Power’s 20th IndyCar victory

HELIO CASTRONEVES ON A FRUSTRATING FINISH SUNDAY IN HOUSTON

“Well, obviously this is not how we wanted our weekend to go. We started the race strong in the Shell Pennzoil Chevy and then I just couldn’t shift the car. To be honest, I’m not sure if we hit something or what. It was a very helpless feeling. I have to say, what an incredible job by my guys to fix the damage. The Shell and Pennzoil crew basically replaced the whole rear of the car and we were at least able to get back out on track and pick up another position. I feel bad for the team because they’ve worked so hard to get us in a position to win this championship. And there is still a lot of racing left. We know we have a strong car in Fontana. We were fast in the test there last week and we will definitely be going for it. I want to congratulate Will (Power) on a great win. At least the weekend ended on a positive note for Team Penske. Great job by the promoters here in Houston and Shell and Pennzoil for putting on an awesome event. I hope we can come back and win here next year.”

WILL POWER ON HIS VICTORY SUNDAY

“That was a really big win for the Verizon team. I just want to say that I hope Dario (Franchitti) and everyone else are alright. I really hate to see that. As far as today, I had to work really hard to hold off Dixon. We ran really hard there and we were basically putting up qualifying laps every time around the track. The guys on the Verizon crew did a great job in the pits and the car was really fast all weekend. Great event for Shell and Pennzoil as the race sponsors and I feel bad for Helio. They’ve been so consistent all year and to have this happen in back-to-back races is tough. But I know the team will come back strong at Fontana and do everything it can to win the championship.”

THE RACE REVIEW · In the second of two IZOD IndyCar Series races on Houston’s Reliant Park street circuit, Helio Castroneves started on pole Sunday after qualifying was cancelled due to rain and the starting field was set by series entrant points. · Driving the No. 3 Shell V-Power Pennzoil Ultra Chevrolet, Castroneves led the first 10 laps of the race. · On Lap 11, however, Castroneves started to feel the shifting of the car go away before it completely let go and he coasted to a stop on track, causing a caution. · After being towed back to pit lane, the Shell Pennzoil crew discovered that the gearbox housing was completely broken in the No. 3 machine. · The team took the car back to the garage and worked feverishly to make repairs. After replacing the gearbox, rear suspension and virtually everything in the back end of the car, Castroneves returned to the track in 24th place, running 38 laps down to the race leaders. · Castroneves was able to pick up one more position on track and finished in 23rd place at the checkered flag. · It was a tough result for the team that entered the Houston doubleheader race weekend leading the championship standings by 49 points. With Saturday’s 18th-place result and Sunday’s finish, Castroneves now trails Scott Dixon by 25 points heading into the season finale at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. on Saturday, October 19. · This marks the first time in 10 races that Castroneves has not led the series standings. This weekend’s two races also represent the first time this season that Castroneves and the No. 3 car team have not completed every race lap. · Will Power began Sunday’s race from the ninth position as the starting grid was determined by entrant points. · With the series implementing a standing start for the second consecutive race, Power took advantage with a tremendous start. He passed three cars and moved into the sixth spot on the opening lap. · Power continued to gain ground in the opening laps as he moved into the top five by Lap 3 and he passed his way up to the second spot by Lap 11. · As he pressured leader Scott Dixon, Power ran second over the next 28 laps and through the first round of pit stops. · On a Lap 40 race restart, Power passed Dixon for the lead and he never looked back. The Verizon Team Penske driver led 51 laps and held off several spirited charges by Dixon to capture the victory. · Power actually took the checkered flag under caution following a last-lap multi-car crash that resulted in injuries to driver Dario Franchitti. · The victory marked Power’s second win of the season and his second victory in the last three races following his triumph at Sonoma Raceway on August 25. · Sunday’s win represented Power’s 20th IndyCar victory. He now is tied for 21st on the all-time IndyCar win list. · Continuing a tough season for the three-time series road course champion, Saturday’s result marked Power’s eighth finish outside the top 10 in nine street course races in 2013. · With the win, Power improved to seventh in the series standings as he is now just one point behind sixth place and 12 points away from the top five.

Penske Racing