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Power moves ahead with Watkins Glen victory
Will Power returned to the top step of the podium to increase his championship lead at Watkins Glen on Sunday. Leading from pole position, it was an Australian 1-2 result for himself and team-mate Ryan Briscoe as reigning Champion Dario Franchitti completed the podium.
It was in fact a Penske 1-2-3 on the grid although the order was somewhat shaken up as the race began, with Briscoe sweeping past Helio Castroneves for second. However, the Target Chip Ganassi duo continued to apply the pressure as Franchitti was backed up by 2008 title winner Scott Dixon, who enjoyed a strong start from seventh.
With the front pair of Penskes being able to enjoy a more comfortable margin, Castroneves soon came under attack from Franchitti as the two, plus Dixon, went side-by-side in a spectacular duel on the back straight; positions remained the same on this occasion although the Scot did overhaul the Brazilian a lap later, on the fifth tour.
The crucial pass allowed Dario to set off after the two leaders although there was trouble behind as team-mate Dixon touched the back of Castroneves’ car, resulting in a damaged front wing and punctured tyre, respectively.
The order at the front remained the same until the middle of the race although the lead toggled between Power and Briscoe as the latter jumped his team-mate during pit-stops; however, Power instantly seized back control by overtaking on-track as a restart signalled the continuation of action following a crash for Simona de Silvestro.
The final round of stops also saw Franchitti take third back off Raphael Matos’ Luczo Dragon car after the Brazilian had managed to pass; despite losing the place, a strong fourth was still picked up by the latter.
Following last year’s great success at Watkins Glen in the shape of a first win for the team, Dale Coyne had a less enjoyable afternoon on this occasion as Alex Lloyd’s afternoon ended following a spin, caused by contact with 2005 Champion Dan Wheldon. The winner of the 2009 event, Justin Wilson, this season had a difficult drive to tenth for Dreyer & Reinbold.
It was also a frustrating day for ex Formula 1 driver Takuma Sato as the Lotus-liveried KV Racing man ran as high as fourth, only to pit a lap early and surprise his crew in the process; the subsequent lengthy delay plus an extra stop in the closing stages confirmed a final finishing position of a disappointing 15th.
There was a respectable drive for Ryan Hunter-Reay, who remains with Andretti Autosport until the end of the season; the squad’s confidence in the American paid off as he twice charged through the field, first due to starting in a lowly 16th position and secondly after losing time due to stalling in the pit lane. Eighth was the final result, a second and a half ahead of Dixon.
Power’s win sees him extend his championship lead to 32 points over Franchitti as the Indy circus prepares to move to Toronto in two weekends’ time
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