Will Power has stormed to a terrific victory in the ABC Supply 500 at the Pocono Raceway after deploying a masterful recovery drive after requiring two off-sequence pit-stops.
The 2014 champion was forced to pit on two separate occasions for a new front-wing and a new rear-wing assembly, after a typically competitive race around the 2.5-mile triangular oval.
Despite these frustrating pit-stops Power was able to regain the lead lap and save fuel, rising to the front of the order during the fifth round of scheduled pit-stops.
After cycling to the front Power was able to open up a considerable gap and complete his final pit-stop without losing a position.
From there it was a case of defending the lead against Penske team-mate Josef Newgarden, who also rose through the order during the final stint after Honda power dominated for much of the race.
Despite a strong end to the race for Newgarden, Power managed to expertly defend his lead by taking the bottom line between Turns 2 and 3.
This tactic broke the draft between Power and Newgarden’s car, making any overtaking manoeuvre exceptionally difficult to complete.
Therefore Newgarden was forced to settle for P2, extending his lead in the drivers’ championship over Ganassi racer Scott Dixon.
Alexander Rossi spent the majority of the race at the front of the order, but could only manage P3, ending proceedings as the highest running Honda-powered car.
Reigning champion Simon Pagenaud could only manage fourth after starting from the front-row of the grid, with the Frenchman failing to capitalise on his qualifying performance.
Tony Kanaan led a significant amount of laps throughout the race but was ultimately unable to challenge Penske for victory, settling for P5 ahead of team-mate Dixon.
Dixon also managed to lead many laps early on in the race, but in doing so used up more fuel than the rest of the field and was therefore always the first driver to make a scheduled pit-stop.
Helio Castroneves enjoyed a very productive race for Penske, with the Brazilian veteran rising through the order to finish a respectable seventh despite a heavy shunt in qualifying.
Ryan Hunter-Reay was equally impressive, with the Andretti Autosport driver also involved in a major incident during qualifying and even transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital for further evaluation.
Upon being cleared to drive only hours before the race Hunter-Reay once again scythed through the order, even leading several laps on his way to P8.
Graham Rahal was another driver who led a handful of laps, with this year’s race setting a record 43 lead changes around the Pocono Raceway.
Rahal dropped down the order during the latter stages of the race, settling for ninth with Carlos Munoz rounding out the top ten.
Pole sitter Takuma Sato endured a tough afternoon, losing the lead early on and never returning to the front of the field.
The reigning Indianapolis 500 winner could only manage P13, with Charlie Kimball also struggling despite an equally impressive qualifying performance in P16.
The race was interrupted by three caution periods, with former Formula 1 racer Esteban Gutierrez making light but race-ending contact with the wall early on.
Sebastian Saavedra did likewise on Lap 115 to cause the second caution period, while James Hinchcliffe made contact with J.R. Hildebrand at Turn 1 in a heavy shunt to cause the third and final caution.
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