WILL POWER WINS INDY 500
Will Power wins the 102nd Indy 500 – Photo: LAT
INDIANAPOLIS – Toowoomba’s Will Power, starting from third on the grid, made it one of the greatest days in the history of Australian motorsports by winning the 102nd Indianapolis 500 on Sunday for Team Penske.
By MIKE BRUDENELL
Earlier in day, Perth’s Daniel Ricciardo had steered his ailing Red Bull Racing machine to a momentous victory in the F1 Monaco Grand Prix.
Power, the first Australian to win the 500, crossed the line 3.1589 seconds ahead of pole-sitter Ed Carpenter, with Scott Dixon third.
Power’s drive in his No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet was a gem, the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series champion leading 59 of 200 laps and dominating the final stages of a race that saw multiple crashes on a wickedly hot day at the Brickyard.
With ambient temperatures soaring into the 30s, grip was at a minimum and passing downright treacherous.
Among those who found the new series car a handful were three-time Indy 500 champ Helio Castroneves, 2013 “500” winner Tony Kanaan and Danica Patrick, competing in her last race, who all spun without warning and wrecked as the rear ends of their cars broke loose without warning.
Brisbane-born Dixon, who won the 2008 Indy 500, upheld Honda’s honour by coming on strong late in the race to finish third for Chip Ganassi Racing. Dixon, a four-time IndyCar champion, races under the New Zealand flag.
Melbourne’s James Davison’s bad luck at Indianapolis continued, however. Nursing an ill-handling car and falling off the pace in the early going, Davison, who had qualified 19th for A.J. Foyt/Byrd/Hollinger, was rear-ended on Lap 47 by 2017 Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato, bringing out the first caution.
Last year, Davison, who is the cousin of V8 Supercar drivers Alex and Will Davison, led in the closing stages of the “500” only to be spun into the wall. Davison was credited with 33rd and last place on Sunday.
Will Power at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Photo: LAT
Power gave team owner Roger Penske his 17th Indianapolis 500 victory with his near-flawless run. While others stumbled on restarts, Power kept his head, negotiating traffic effortlessly for his first Indy 500 victory.
Power said afterwards he knew he had the race in his grasp starting the final lap.
“With one lap to go, I was screaming, ‘I got this,’ ’’ said Power soaked with the customary milk in the winner’s circle. “I feel like collapsing. Oh, my God, I can’t believe this. I was wondering if I would ever win it; what an event – I love it.”
Previous to Sunday, Power’s best finish in the “500” was second in 2015 to Penske teammate Juan Pablo Montoya.
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