Ryan Hunter-Reay, who has only a part-time deal with Andretti Autosport, has won the IZOD IndyCar event in the streets of Long Beach this Sunday.
It was a great day for the American who was always one of the fastest drivers through the weekend and it was also an occasion for his boss Michael Andretti to rejoice as this win was the team's first since June 2008.
Joining Hunter-Reay on the podium were Justin Wilson (Dreyer & Reinbold) and pole winner and points' leader Will Power (Penske). It had looked like Power was in control of the race until a mechanical problem with the gearbox got the car got stuck in first gear coming out of the final hairpin on lap 17. Lucky for the Australian, he was able to get back up to speed but by now both Hunter-Reay and Wilson were in front of him. Power would only be able to pass Wilson when the British driver got tangled up with Alex Lloyd and had half its front wing wiped off and was forced to get into the pits which meant that he fell to third behind Hunter-Reay and Power. Hunter-Reay quickly established a 5-sec lead and held it to the flag, to claim his first win since Watkins Glen in 2008. Wilson was able to pass Power with a brilliant move at Turn 1 just after the restart following some accident involving Graham Rahal (Sarah Fisher Racing). Ganassi's Scott Dixon gained ground in the pits and beat Tony Kanaan (Andretti Autosport) to fifth. Alex Tagliani (FAZZT Racing) had his share of problems, first with a refuelling glitch before braking Dallara's suspension in a brush with Simona de Silvestro and Danica Patrick. IndyCar Results Long Beach - Round 4 Pos Driver Team Gap 1. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti 85 laps 2. Justin Wilson Dreyer & Reinbold + 5.6031s 3. Will Power Penske + 8.5864s 4. Scott Dixon Ganassi + 10.6287s 5. Tony Kanaan Andretti + 11.7732s 6. Mario Moraes KV + 16.5171s etc... IRL Standings - After 4 of 17 rounds 1. Will Power 172 points 2. Helio Castroneves 130 3. Ryan Hunter-Reay 129 4. Justin Wilson 125 5. Dario Franchitti 112 Photos: Philippe Champoux - Auto123.com
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