In the absence of former Champ Car ace Sebastien Bourdais, who sublet the Edmonton podium top step only once over a starry three-year run, Justin Wilson can lay claim to the most impressive array of finishes on the City Centre Airport layout. The lanky Brit was fourth in 2005 for RuSport as the Grand Prix made its debut in the Champ Car World Series. He won the race in 2006 ahead of Bourdais and finished second to the Frenchman in 2007. And, in his first IndyCar Series appearance, Wilson was third here last year for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing.
Now, that either means he’s going to finish fifth on Sunday, just to keep the numerical string intact, or add another chapter to one of the feel-good stories of the year. Bet on the latter.
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It is more likely that somebody else will win just about any other race, and those somebodies will be driving cars for Team Penske or Target Chip Ganassi, the acknowledged titans of the IRL circuit. But this is Edmonton. This is Wilson’s turf. He has been better here than Paul Tracy, Alex Tagliani, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Will Power, Graham Rahal and Robert Doornbos, all fellow Champ Car refugees. He knows the 14-turn, 1.96-mile track better than any of the IRL vets who made their rookie runs in 2008. And, while Wilson is now driving for Coyne, an underfunded also-ran in Champ Car, the team has made a serious commitment to winning road and street races. In fact, the commitment starts with the driver, who is tailor-made for the task.
That sentiment was echoed by HVM Racing owner Keith Wiggins, another Champ Car alum.
“Justin’s talent on street and road tracks is unparalleled,” he said.
“I obviously love this track,” he said. “It’s a fantastic layout, very physical, very demanding, but at the same time you’ve got to be precise and you’ve got to carry the speed, you’ve got to attack. Over some of the bumps and the surface changes you’ve got to be in control. It’s tough. I love it. I think it’s all about that controlled aggression and trying to maximize everything.”
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