Power storms to special win
Australia’s Will Power completed a Trans-Tasman sweep of IndyCar at Iowa by taking victory from 22nd on the grid, whilst there were terrifying scenes at the finish.
The Team Penske driver had been waiting to win at Iowa for a long time and did it on the 19th attempt having taken pole on seven occasions and finished second four times.
It also ends a five-year wait between oval wins for Power, who now goes past Michael Andretti to be the fourth most prolific winner in IndyCar history.
Just 0.3915s split Power and Alex Palou at the chequered flag, while Scott McLaughlin was third as the race ended in terrifying style.
Sting Ray Robb hit the back of Alexander Rossi, which sent the former vertically airborne before rolling twice and landing on his roof.
As Robb slid down the back straight upside down, Ed Carpenter and Kyle Kirkwood spun and with Rossi, they ended up against the inside retaining wall with Carpenter’s car on top of Kirkwood’s.
Rossi, Kirkwood and Carpenter safely climbed from their cars, while Robb was transported to a local hospital after giving two thumbs up.
McLaughlin started from pole and looked on track for back to back Iowa wins by leading the way until the first round of stops where Power had risen to 17th.
On lap 95 the Kiwi made a green-flag pit stop but this allowed both Palou and the charging Power to gain track position with the over-cut and a well timed caution.
It proved particularly handy for Power as he rose all the way to second and this set up a tense three-way fight.
Whilst McLaughlin could not quite keep up with them, Power waited until the final stop to make his race-winning move.
Power saved enough fuel to get an advantage and with the crew servicing him in 5.8s the #12 emerged in the lead.
The Australian kept his cool to retain the lead and complete an incredible comeback.
Power was elated with the breakthrough success.
“I’ve been trying to win this race for years (and) years, so, I’m over the moon (happy),” Power, who now sits second just 35 points from the championship lead.
“We had a really good car, a really fast car, so we just sat back to use that pace to save fuel.
“It was getting a massive number, and I knew once all those guys pulled in, I could go hard, and then we caught a yellow, which was sort of the thing we were hoping for.
“To sort of get those yellows, put us to the front, and then we were able to get better fuel behind (Alex) Palou and go a couple of laps longer than him and jump him.
“The guys did a great job. I felt bad for them yesterday when I accidentally buttoned off on the pit speed limiter.
“Ruined their day, but we’re right in the game. I want to thank Verizon, Chevy, such tremendous support. We’re going to fight this hard to the end.”
IndyCar next races at Toronto on the streets of Exhibition Palace on July 21.
Photo by Phillip Abbott / LAT Images
IndyCar Iowa results
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