Maiden win for Power at Edmonton
26 July 2009
Will Power scored his first IndyCar Series win, holding off a competitive field to win the Rexall Edmonton Indy over Helio Castroneves.
The Australian, driving the No. 12 Penske Truck Rental car, started from the pole and was in command throughout leading 90 of the 95 laps run. Castroneves shrunk a 6.79-second disadvantage on Lap 85 - after overtaking Scott Dixon in traffic for second place - to 4.58 seconds on Lap 92, but the race's only caution prevented any potential shootout.
Dixon, the 2008 race winner, finished third to retake the series championship points lead and Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe was fourth. Dario Franchitti finished fifth and fan favorite Paul Tracy wound up sixth after starting ninth.
Tony Kanaan sustained burns on his thumbs and face during a Lap 34 pit stop. The fuel hose remained open after the stop, splashing 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol onto the side of the No. 11 Team 7-Eleven car and Kanaan. The fuel ignited, with Kanaan scrambling to extricate himself from the car as Team Penske and Panther Racing crew members doused the car to retard the flames. Kanaan will be re-evaluated by Indy Racing League medical personnel this week.
Race Results:
1 W. Power Team Penske 1:42:42.377
2 H. Castroneves Team Penske + 1.093
3 S. Dixon Target Chip Ganassi Racing + 1.321
4 R. Briscoe Team Penske + 1.826
5 D. Franchitti Target Chip Ganassi Racing + 4.465
6 P. Tracy KV Racing + 6.394
7 G. Rahal Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing + 26.570
8 J. Wilson Dale Coyne Racing + 26.916
9 R. Doornbos Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing + 1 laps
10 M. Andretti Andretti Green Racing + 1 laps
11 D. Patrick Andretti Green Racing + 1 laps
12 E.J. Viso HVM Racing + 1 laps
13 A. Tagliani Conquest Racing + 1 laps
14 H. Mutoh Andretti Green Racing + 1 laps
15 D. Wheldon Panther Racing + 1 laps
16 E. Carpenter Vision Racing + 2 laps
17 R. Hunter-Reay A.J. Foyt Racing + 8 laps
18 R. Matos Luczo Dragon Racing + 10 laps
Did not finish
19 T. Scheckter Dreyer & Reinbold Racing + 22 laps
20 M. Conway Dreyer & Reinbold Racing + 32 laps
21 T. Kanaan Andretti Green Racing + 61 laps
22 R. Antinucci Team 3G + 75 laps
23 M. Moraes KV Racing + 95 laps