Will Power didn’t make it three victories in a row, which would have the accomplishments of three other IZOD IndyCar Series drivers, but the 43 points earned in the Honda Indy Edmonton is ample consolation.
Power, the runner-up to Scott Dixon in the 95-lap race, takes a 50-point lead over Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Dario Franchitti into the Aug. 8 Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance. Dixon, who is 71 points back with six events remaining (two road courses and four ovals), has won two of the three races at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Power, who picked up one bonus point for winning the PEAK Performance Pole Award in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car, led a field-high 76 laps on the demanding 1.973-mile, 14-turn City Centre Airport circuit to earn two more bonus points. He’s accrued 12 bonus points, and handily leads the Mario Andretti Road Course championship standings.
“It was a good day. It was a tough battle. Still a good finish for us points-wise,” said Power, who’s competing in his first full season with Team Penske.
All four of Power’s victories this season have been on road/street courses, and his victory at Edmonton in ‘09 was the first of his IZOD IndyCar Series career. In his lone race at Mid-Ohio, Power started 12th for KV Racing Technology in 2008 and finished fourth.
“To start closing the gap in the championship, we’ve got to start finishing ahead of Will,” said Franchitti, the reigning series champion who finished third at Edmonton.
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