Power Claims Victory in Wild Sao Paulo Indy 300
Making the last of multiple passes for the lead, Team Penske's Will Power
overtook Ryan Hunter-Reay on the 58th circuit of a rain-shortened 61-lap
Sao Paulo Indy 300, to win Sunday's season-opening round of the 2010 IZOD
IndyCar Series, and the inaugural IndyCar event in Brazil's largest city.
In his first race since sustaining a season-ending back injury last August
at Infineon Raceway, Power started fifth on the 2.5-mile temporary street
circuit, configured around the Sao Paulo "Sambadrome", and was running
second when the race was red-flagged due to a heavy rain shower on Lap 35
of a scheduled 75. When racing resumed 35 minutes later, it became a timed
event with just over 40 minutes remaining.
At the restart, the field was still running wet weather "rain tires" and
pit strategy - deciding when to change to dry weather "slicks" - became a
key element in the outcome of the race. Power was one of the first to
change and, although he resumed in sixth place, he soon moved up the order
as the circuit continued to dry. At the front of the field, Hunter-Reay
and Power's teammate, Ryan Briscoe, traded the lead until Briscoe nosed
into the wall on Lap 53 to end his challenge.
On the Lap 56 restart, Hunter-Reay faced a new challenger - Power - who
ultimately found a way past the Andretti Autosport driver on Lap 58, edging
out a 1.5-second margin over the final two laps to claim his second IndyCar
win, and fifth major open-wheel racing victory.
Just behind the leaders, A.J. Foyt Racing's Vitor Meira was in the thick of
a fierce battle for third place that included fellow Brazilian Raphael
Matos and former series champions Dan Wheldon, Scott Dixon and Dario
Franchitti. Meira, also in his first race since sustaining a season-ending
back injury at the 2009 Indianapolis 500, passed Matos for third on Lap 57
to claim the final podium position and best finish among seven Brazilian
drivers participating in their home-country event.
IZOD IndyCar Series action continues on a temporary street circuit, but
returns "home" to the USA on March 28 for the Honda Grand Prix of St.
Petersburg.
Will Power (#12 Penske Racing Honda) started 5th, finished 1st, his 2nd
career IndyCar Series win to go with 3 ChampCar race victories: "It was
the most mixed-up race I ever been involved in, but I'm glad because it
created an opportunity for me to come back through the field and win. The
improvements [to the circuit] that were made last night were like night-and-
day. We had absolutely no problem on the front straight today. I saw Ryan
make a mistake. At that point I wasn't sure how many laps were left. They
told me on the radio there were six laps to go. I said 'six laps until I
pit?'. They said 'no, six laps left in the race', so I went for it."
Ryan Hunter-Reay (#37 Andretti Autosport Honda) started 4th, finished 2nd,
his first race with Andretti Autosport: "First off, it's great to have a
race in Brazil; these fans are passionate about their racing. It was a
great street race with lots of passing opportunities, which is exactly what
we needed. It's really good to see these guys [Power and Meira] up here
after what they've gone through. To see them drive the way they did today,
especially on a bumpy street circuit, was really great."
Vitor Meira (#14 A.J. Foyt Racing Honda) started 16th, finished 3rd, best
IndyCar finish for A.J. Foyt Racing since second at Watkins Glen in 2008:
"It couldn't have been much better than this. When you have a back injury,
there's a lot of uncertainty. Having the team behind you and knowing that
seat is waiting for you, makes a big difference in your recovery. I feel
great, this is good for the team and for the people who support and have
their faith in us. We have to return that and this result makes us very,
very, happy."
Jack Spurney (General Manager, Honda Performance Development) on today's
IndyCar debut in Brazil: "It was great to be in Sao Paulo for the start of
the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season. The circuit design, with three long
straights and the challenges of a street course, made for excellent racing
with a lot of leaders, including the impressive Simona de Silvestro, who
became the first rookie since Graham Rahal to lead their first IndyCar
race. The finish was tremendously exciting, with the battles for both
first and third. Congratulations to Will Power and the entire Penske
organization on a well-earned victory today, and to all our associates at
Honda Performance Development and our technical partner Ilmor for a fine
start to the 2010 season."
-source: honda racing
