Will Power Claims Second Place Finish at Mid-Ohio and Takes Driver Points Standings Lead
Team Chevy Drivers Score Seven of Top-10 Finishing Positions in Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series Race
 
LEXINGTON, Ohio – August 5, 2012 – Will Power, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, reclaimed the lead in the IZOD IndyCar Series driver point standings with a second place finish in today’s Indy 200 at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course.  Power, who started on the pole, led the first 57 circuits around the 2.25-mile, 13-turn permanent road course on the way to his fifth podium finish of the season.
 
“It was another caution-free battle today in the IZOD IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio,” said Chris Berube, Chevrolet Racing Program Manager, IZOD IndyCar Series. “Kudos to the entire field for demonstrating a high level of skill and professionalism throughout a race that started on a drying track surface. Without cautions, our Chevrolet drivers had to adapt to changing track conditions, and maintain a strong pace with focus for 85 laps around the very technical Mid-Ohio circuit.  Congratulations to Will Power and Team Penske on earning the pole position, second place finish and most laps led.  With three races remaining in the season, we are battling hard for the driver’s championship.”
 
Sebastien Bourdais brought the No. 7 TrueCar/McAfee Dragon Racing Chevrolet to the checkered flag in fourth position, and earned his best finish of the season. He was followed by fellow Team Chevy driver James Hinchcliffe, No. 27 Team GoDaddy.com Andretti Autosport Chevrolet, in fifth place which gave Team Chevy three of the top-finishers in today’s 85-lap race.
 
In total, seven Chevrolet IndyCar V6 drivers scored top-10 finishes today.  Tony Kanaan. No. 11 GEICO/MOUSER Electronics KV Racing Technology Chevrolet finished sixth.  Ryan Briscoe, No. 2 PPG Automotive Refinishes Team Penske Chevrolet, was seventh at the line. Marco Andretti, No. 26 Team RC Cola Andretti Autosport Chevrolet, crossed the line in eighth place followed by JR Hildebrand, No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing Chevrolet in ninth position.
 
Two additional Team Chevy drivers in the thick of the driver’s championship battle faced challenges today that resulted in significantly tightening the point standings. Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 28 Team DHL/Sun Drop Citrus Soda/Pelotonia Andretti Autosport Chevrolet, came to Mid-Ohio as the points leader, but suffered a mechanical issue that relegated him to the 24th finishing position. He is now second in the standings, five points behind Power.
 
Team Penske’s Helio Castroneves, No. 3 Penske Truck Rental Chevrolet, was assessed a 10 grid position penalty prior to the start of the race for an unapproved engine change that put him in the 23rd starting position.  Castroneves battled to finish 16th on the difficult circuit, and now sits third in points, 21 points behind Hunter-Reay.
 
Chevrolet continues to lead the Series’ manufacturers’ standings with three races remaining in the season.