Zoom A big boost for Wilson and Newman/Haas/Lanigan

Former Minardi and Jaguar F1 racer Justin Wilson has returned to his winning ways in the USA. Wilson is no stranger to success, having won four times in Champ Car but in taking the chequered flag in Detroit, the Newman/Haas/Lanigan driver notched up his first success in the IndyCar series.

"This is the most important win of my career," said Wilson. "A lot of things have happened with the team this year and a lot of things are still going on. It's been a long, difficult year and it's just great to repay the team with a win near the end of the season."

Starting on the outside of the second row in fourth, Wilson gained one position when pole-sitter and early race leader Scott Dixon's Ganassi team made the unusual call to pit the championship points leader during an early, Lap 18, caution. That dropped Dixon deep in the field, and he did well to recover to fifth by the finish. Wilson then moved up to second during the first scheduled round of pit stops on Lap 32.

Helio Castroneves, who had taken over the lead with Dixon's early stop, dominated the middle stages of the race, pulling out a lead of up to 12 seconds at one point. But after the final caution period of the race, from Laps 66-68, it was clear Wilson had the fastest car on the circuit. On Lap 70, Wilson made a move for the lead, which was firmly blocked by Castroneves.

After reviewing video of the incident, IndyCar Series officials penalised Castroneves for blocking, and ordered him to surrender the lead, which he did on Lap 73. "I don't have anything smart to say right now," said the unhappy Brazilian. "I had a fantastic car. The good news is we've made the championship tighter. Let's go to Chicago. For sure, we're going to push as hard as we can, just as we do at every race."

Once in front, Wilson promptly extended his advantage by setting the fastest two laps of the race, and a half-dozen more that were nearly as quick, to take his career first IndyCar victory.

E.A. © CAPSIS International