Pagenaud won the pole Saturday with a lap only a tick under the track-record time he posted in the first round of qualifying.
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“It has been an incredible journey”, Pagenaud said.
“I just enjoyed driving today. Then again, when you show up for the race weekend, the cream rises to the top and I think we are in that group”. 2015 was a struggle, as a championship finish of 11th stood in stark contrast to finishes of 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, but 2016 has been a revelation, recording seven poles and five wins en route to his first championship season.
Pagenaud entered the weekend 43 points ahead of teammate Will Power as the Penske drivers were the only two mathematically eligible to win the championship. Power fell eight laps off the pace while repairs were made and finished the race in 20th place, but retained second in the championship for the fourth time in his 12-year Indy auto career.
Power was assessed last Tuesday at the University of Miami (Fla.) Concussion Center under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Olvey and successfully passed concussion testing protocol, clearing him for this coming weekend’s season finale at Sonoma.
“The most important thing is we wanted to go for the win”, Castroneves said.
The IndyCar series season finale is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.at Sonoma Raceway in California. Last race: Dixon won at Watkins Glen, his first victory since Phoenix in April. Still, Rossi, the 2016 Indianapolis 500 victor clinched Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.
Championship rival and Team Penske teammate Simon Pagenaud already lapped Power while he was stopped out on track. Pagenaud made the most of it, winning the race.
Pagenaud now enjoys the spoils of the championship, including a $1 million prize and official presentation of the Astor Cup that will take place October 4 at the INDYCAR Championship Celebration in Indianapolis.
“I felt bad for Will, but I’ve had my share of bad luck and I know that’s the way it goes sometimes”, Pagenaud said. There’s so much emotion.
“My whole career has been about this day, reaching this level”, Pagenaud said.
Power finished second in the standings and Helio Castroneves was third. Penske driver Juan Pablo Montoya took third.
“Congratulations, Simon.” said Castroneves “Well deserved, no question”.
Indianapolis driver Eddie VanMeter has won six of the eight Sportsman Late Model races this season and three in a row at Anderson. I’m proud and honored to work with these guys. We have to err on the safe side in the race, and finishing second is OK if we win the championship.
During last week’s IndyCar Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, however, Power’s chance to win the champions’ Astor Cup was in question after he made contact with Charlie Kimball’s auto and crashed into the guardrail bordering the track.
Pagenaud became the second Frenchman to win one of these USA championships, the other being Sebastien Bourdais, a four-time Champ Car champion from 2004-07.
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As he did in winning the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil in May, Alexander Rossi ran out of fuel and coasted to the finish line today. We won a 500-mile race – not the right one, but we won a 500-miler and 1-2-3 in the championship for the team, which is really good considering the way it turned out a year ago.
