Power ends 19 year Penske drought at The Glen

Indy Car News

By Gary Becker
Sports Car Illustrated.com

The last time a Roger Penske car rested in victory lane at Watkins Glen Raceway Rick Mears was the driver. That was until today, when Will Power drove his Verizon Penske to victory at the Camping World Grand Prix at the Glen.

It was a classic Penske race weekend with his three cars taking the top three starting spots, Will Power on the pole followed by Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe. It was the 5th year in a row a Penske car sat on the pole for an IndyCar race at the Glen. Start of IncyCars at the Glen

The green flag waved on warm sunny day and a field led by the Penske trio. It was Penske one, two, three with Power on the point, Briscoe second and Castroneves third for the first six laps when Dario Franchitti was able to pass Castroneves for the third spot. Scott Dixon then began threatening Castroneves.

The next lap Dixon’s threat turned into Dixon’s mistake as he underestimated Castroneves’ speed and clipped Castroneves’ left rear tire with Dixon’s right front wing. Both had to pit for repairs and though they were able to rejoin the race without losing a lap both were out of contention for the win.

On lap 17 Dan Wheldon spun in turn 8 after contact with Alex Lloyd. Wheldon dropped to the back of the pack and it looked like any hope he had for a respectable finish was over. Lloyd would eventually retire with steering problems. Wheldon’s spin did bring out a full course yellow with the field taking advantage of the break and pitting with the exception of Castroneves, Dixon, E.J. Viso and Alex Tagliani who all had pitted a few laps earlier.

Dixon now had the lead when the green flag waved and was able to hold the lead until having to pit on lap 28 when he handed the lead to Power.

Briscoe claimed the lead during the next round of pit stops on lap 37 when he was able to beat Power out of the pits. A full course yellow followed two laps later as rookie Simona de Silvestro lost control coming out of turn 7 and hit the wall. The yellow guaranteed that the leaders would have enough fuel on board to finish the race.

The green came back out on lap 43 and Power was able to regain the lead on a gusty pass on Briscoe going into the Bus Stop. Franchitti was also able to get by Briscoe but was not able to close the gap on Power.

On the last lap Franchitti’s red tires finally gave out and Briscoe was able to pass him going into turn one giving Penske a one two finish at a track he hadn’t won at for nearly two decades. Franchitti finished third.

The drive of the day has to go to Dan Wheldon who through some great driving and great pit work was able to move from last place on lap 17 to a fifth place finish.

Camping World Grand Prix at the Glen