Australian driver Will Power (Team Verizon Wireless and Penske Racing) led from pole position to win the Rexall Edmonton Indy on Sunday 26th July. It was the first IndyCar series win for the 28-year-old in his first season with Penske Racing.
The race featured few lead changes, with Power finishing 1.094 seconds ahead of teammate Helio Castroneves. Target Chip Ganassi driver Scott Dixon finished third, 1.321 seconds off the pace, returning the New Zealander to the top of the championship points table.
The race however was marred by a pitlane fire which injured Andretti Green Racing driver Tony Kanaan. During his first pit stop, the ethanol fuel hose filling Kanaan’s car appeared to not shut off properly, dousing the Brazilian in fuel which then caught on fire. Kanaan was able to struggle free from the car and was led away for medical tests.
Race winner Will Power, #12 Penske Racing Penske Truck Rental Dallara/Honda/ Firestone, said:
"The Firestone Firehawk tires were really good today; both the primary and alternate tires were spot-on. They lasted really well there at the end when the grip came, and the car was really strong. So I was very happy with the tires!"
Al Speyer, Executive Director, Firestone Racing, said:
"Congratulations to Will Power and Penske Racing for a dominating performance all weekend. They were certainly the class of the field here in Edmonton, and it's great to see Will get his first win in the IndyCar Series. Both the primary and alternate specification Firestone Firehawk tires performed well here today. If you paid attention, the red alternate tires could be really fast even at the end of a run. In fact, race winner Will Power set his fastest race lap on alternates on lap 31 of 33 in his first stint. That just goes to show that tire management can make all the difference in the world."
"The Firestone Firehawk tires were really good today; both the primary and alternate tires were spot-on. They lasted really well there at the end when the grip came, and the car was really strong. So I was very happy with the tires!"