Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia driver Will Power has qualified third for the Peak Indy Grand Prix at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California this weekend.
Power will start behind the Penske pair of Helio Castroneves and fellow Australian Ryan Briscoe for the 80-lap race, the 15th event in the 2008 IndyCar Series.
By qualifying third today Power earned his fourth top five starting position and sixth top 10 starting position for the 2008 season.
Power excels on the road courses, making the 27-year-old from Toowoomba, Queensland one of the drivers to watch around the 4.05km/2.52-mile circuit in tomorrow’s race.
Earlier in the day Power was seventh fastest in practice in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone, which is also supported by Smart & Final this weekend.
WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …
Will Power: #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone
“I am happy qualifying third,” said Power.
“The Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car was good enough for pole, but I suffered a bit from a lack of traction. I never launched one lap properly so I was losing a lot of time by the first corner.
“Still, we are happy with third. It’s a good place the start the race tomorrow.
“It’s good. We carried it through. We’ve sort of been there all weekend in the top three. We’re happy about that. I think I could have done a better job in that last run, but it does feel good.
“They’re very long races. We know it’s a lot about strategy. A lot of yellows fall in this race. We’re just happy we’ve got two cars there. We’re doing well.”
Craig Gore: Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia
“Things are going plan so far with Will getting a starting spot in the first two rows,” said Gore.
“It’s a good effort from Will and I know he is very keen to get on the podium this weekend and challenge for the win.
“We want to get the Aussie Vineyards car back in the top 10 in points and a strong run here could get Will right back in the Rookie points. Hopefully luck goes our way tomorrow and we can run a strong race.”
RESULTS: PEAK Motor Oil Pole Qualifying
Top Six set times in Firestone Fast Six Shootout
1. #3 Helio Castroneves 107.809mph (one lap average speed)
2. #6 Ryan Briscoe 107.787
3. #8 Will Power 107.551
4. #11 Tony Kanaan 107.493
5. #9 Scott Dixon 106.746
6. #5 Oriol Servia 106.514
7. #02 Justin Wilson 107.665
8. #17 Ryan Hunter-Reay 107.620
9. #7 Danica Patrick 107.609
10. #26 Marco Andretti 107.296
2008 IndyCar Series Points Standings - After Race 14
1. #9 Scott Dixon 558
2. #3 Helio Castroneves 480
3. #10 Dan Wheldon 420
4. #11 Tony Kanaan 411
5. #6 Ryan Briscoe 350
6. #7 Danica Patrick 315
7. #26 Marco Andretti 311
8. #17 Ryan Hunter-Reay 298
9. #27 Hideki Mutoh 298
10. #5 Oriol Servia 298
13. #8 Will Power 267
2008 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Standings - After Race 14
1. #27 Hideki Mutoh 298
2. #8 Will Power 267
3. #02 Justin Wilson 249
4. #06 Graham Rahal 235
5. #33 EJ Viso 234
6. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 208
7. #19 Mario Moraes 197
8. #34 Jaime Camara 140
9. #96 Mario Dominguez 98
10. #24 Jay Howard 72
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