Newman/Haas Racing's Sebastien Bourdais became the first driver since Ted Horn (1946-48) to win three consecutive Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford championships with his eighth place finish in Surfers Paradise, Australia. source: paddocktalk.com Four different rookies led laps during the event in Surfers Paradise two weeks ago, marking the first time that four rookies led in a single event since 1983. The last time it happened was at Michigan International Speedway in 1983 when John Paul Jr., Teo Fabi, Al Unser Jr. and Don Whittington led laps. In 1980 when Champ Car traveled to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, it became the first Champ Car sanctioned race to be held in Mexico. In the first race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez three drivers from Mexico competed in the event (Daniel Muniz, Juan Carlos Bolanos and Michel Jourdain). Since then there has been at least two drivers that call Mexico home in the field each year. Other Mexican drivers that have competed in Champ Car in Mexico city include: Josele Garza (1981), Michel Jourdain (1981), Michel Jourdain Jr. (2002-2004), Mario Dominguez (2002-2005), Luis Diaz (2002-2003), Adrian Fernandez (2003), Roberto Gonzalez (2003 and 2004), Rodolfo Lavin (2003-2005), and Homero Richards (2005). The best finish for a driver from Mexico in a Champ Car race in Mexico City was Mario Dominguez in 2003 when he finished in the third position. Nelson Philippe becomes the youngest driver ever to win a Champ Car race, by winning in Surfers Paradise at the age of 20 years, two months and 29 days, eclipsing the mark previously held by Scott Dixon by more than six months. With Justin Wilson missing the event in Australia, Will Power is the new leader in the Bridgestone Passion For Excellence Award with one race to go. Power would be the first person other than Sebastien Bourdais to win the award in this, the fourth year that the honor has been given.
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