Tony Kanaan became IndyCar’s 11th different winner this season Saturday night with his victory at California Speedway in the MAVTV 500, but the biggest victory finally came for Will Power and team owner Roger Penske, as the driver and owner took their first season championship together, and Penske’s first since 2006.
Power, the Australian who moved from Champ Car to IndyCar when that series folded, beat out Penske teammate Helio Castroneves for the championship. Simon Pagenaud had a shot at the title, but an ill-handling car put him out of contention early.
“Fifteen years of hard work,” a clearly drained Power said. “My hands are numb from holding onto the wheel so tight. You don’t think it can happen until it happens.”
“Well done, Will, you are the champ, man,” Castronves said. “Good job.”
As for Kanaan, it was his first win of the season for the new Chip Ganassi Racing driver, who replaced his friend Dario Franchitti after Franchitti was injured in Houston last year.
“What an awesome feeling,” said Kanaan. “It was a long time coming.” Teammate Scott Dixon was second, Ed Carpenter third.
The race, which ended at 12:53 a.m. ET, was on a record pace until the lone caution flag, for a one-car spin by Ryan Hunter-Reay. Chevrolet, which wrapped up its third straight manufacturer’s championship at Sonoma, also had teh top for drivers in the points: Power, Castroneves, Dixon and Juan Pablo Montoya, the third Penske driver.
