IndyCar Series rookie Justin Wilson has taken the Detroit Indy Grand Prix presented by Firestone victory at The Raceway at Belle Isle Park, with Helio Castroneves second after receiving a penalty for blocking.
Castroneves’ record eighth runner-up berth this season allowed him to gain 13 points on championship leader Scott Dixon – who finished fifth after starting from pole - to now stand within 30 points of the Brisbane-born Kiwi heading into the September 7 championship season finale at Chicagoland Speedway.
Despite only turning two laps in the morning warm-up due to a steering problem, Wilson went on to lead the final 15 laps to claim his first IndyCar Series victory.
His maiden win in the newly merged series follows four from his time in the Champ Car World Series (his last taken at Assen, Netherlands and sees him become the ninth different driver to win during the 2008 season – equaling the record set in four previous seasons.
Wilson started fourth and moved into second on Lap 60. After a restart on Lap 69, Wilson put pressure on Helio Castroneves, who led a race-high 53 laps.
Wilson made two attempts to pass on Lap 72, but was rebuffed by Castroneves who went low and then back high. Race officials penalised Castroneves one position for blocking, and Wilson took the lead on Lap 73.
Tony Kanaan was third, Oriol Servia fourth and Dixon fifth after leading the first 18 laps before he was shuffled back to 18th position following his first pit stop.
Past Nikon Indy 300 winners Ryan Hunter-Reay (2003) and Bruno Junqueira (2004) were sixth and seventh respectively with Junqueira charging an impressive 17 positions from his starting position of 24th.
Australian’s Will Power and Ryan Briscoe were eighth and ninth respectively, with Power recovering from front wing damage after a lap 54 battle with Hunter-Reay for sixth position, while Briscoe’s result saw him maintain fifth in the standings.
The 2008 IndyCar Series season now continues to the championship finale - the PEAK Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 September 7 at Chicagoland Speedway, before heading ‘down under’ for the 2008 Nikon Indy 300 on October 23-26.
The 2008 schedule has taken the teams and drivers to short ovals, superspeedways, and road and street courses on its way to the Nikon Indy 300 which is regarded as a ‘crown jewel’ in international motorsport.
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