Power wins Watkins Glen IndyCar race

Penske drivers had won the first five IndyCar poles at Watkins Glen but had never won the race.

Power, who cemented his place atop the standings, started from pole and led 45 of 60 laps around the 11-turn, 3.4-mile circuit.

He beat teammate and fellow Australian Ryan Briscoe by 1.2 seconds for his third win of the season, none of them coming on an oval.

“It was a difficult race,” Power said. “I loved it.”

Scotland’s Dario Franchitti was third, followed by Brazilians Raphael Matos and Mario Moraes.

After the second and final full-course caution Power was beaten out of the pits by Briscoe and was second at the green signal on lap 44.

Power quickly regained first place however, overtaking Briscoe entering the chicane at the top of the hill coming off the high-speed ess-bends.

“I knew that was my only chance,” Power said. “I made sure I got a good restart and got a run on him.”

Two laps later Franchitti overtook Briscoe for second at the same spot. He never really challenged Power, and Briscoe overtook Franchitti to regain second place entering the 90-degree first turn of the final lap.

“I was pushing 100 percent from start to finish,” Briscoe said. “I wanted to keep the pressure on. I wish I could have held on to the win.”