Friday 25 May 2012

GPUpdate

Power wins first Baltimore Grand Prix

4 September 2011
IndyCar Series: Baltimore Street Circuit: Sunday race results

Penske’s Will Power has triumphed in the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix to move to within 26 points of IndyCar Series leader Dario Franchitti. On a particularly clammy afternoon, the Australian led home Oriol Servia and Tony Kanaan, although the race will be remembered for a multiple accident involving almost half the field.

Power crossed the finish with some ten seconds in hand, with Franchitti missing out on crucial points by coming home fourth ahead of Chip Ganassi team-mate Scott Dixon, who suffered no less than two punctures.

The dramatic happenings of the afternoon left a number of familiar faces way down the order, with notables being Penske duo Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves in lowly 14th and 17th positions. Franchitti came close to the list of retirements but narrowly escaped it after contact with the wall and a subsequent spin.

Kanaan’s drive to the final podium place was particularly memorable, as the Brazilian started at the back after a high-flying crash in the warm-up session. With an efficient strategy, the KV Racing driver was a chief beneficiary of the pile-up which occurred on the 37th tour; with Briscoe and Ryan Hunter-Reay contacting at Turn 3, the latter spun and duly blocked the path of oncoming traffic. Briscoe soon received a penalty, with Giorgio Pantano and James Jakes having to retire as a result of the drama.

“I've never driven so hard in my whole life,” said winner Power. "I just gave it absolutely everything…I'm exhausted. I reckon that was probably one of my best ever wins.”


The IndyCar Series continues at Motegi, Japan in two weeks’ time

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