Helio Castroneves Wins Edmonton Indy; Scores his Second Victory of the Season, and Eighth Win for Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Engine
EDMONTON, Alta., CANADA (July 22, 2012) – Helio Castroneves powered his No. 3 Penske Truck Rental Chevrolet to Victory Lane in the Edmonton Indy. It was his second win of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season and the 27th of the Team Penske driver’s career. The win was the eighth of the year for the Chevrolet IndyCar V6 engine, and extended Chevrolet’s lead in the Series’ Manufacturers’ Championship with 11 of 15 races in the books.
Castroneves teammate Will Power, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, finished third giving Team Chevy two of the three podium positions for the 75-lap race on the 2.224-mile, 13-turn temporary circuit on the Edmonton City Centre Airport.
“Congratulations to Helio Castroneves and the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet on their second win of the season,” said Chris Berube, Chevrolet Racing Program Manager, IZOD IndyCar Series. “And a strong third place finish by Will Power. It was a true team effort with Helio’s over-the-wall crew having an exceptional day on pit lane, brilliant pit strategy from John Erickson and Ron Ruzewski, and of course Helio’s smooth consistency throughout the race. It was a yellow-free race that showcased all of the elements of great racing; preparedness, strategy and execution.
“It is a tremendous accomplishment for Chevrolet, our technical partners and our teams to have scored eight wins to this point of the season. We are very proud of the dedicated effort, and focus to get the Chevrolet IndyCar V6 engine in Victory Lane.
“With the season winding down, we are looking forward to a great championship battle in the final four races of the season”
Castroneves, who started fifth in the 25-car field, led 22 laps in the caution-free race. The win moved him to second in the standings with four races remaining.
A total of four Team Chevy drivers finished in the top-10 at Edmonton. Points leader and pole winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 28 Team DHL/Sun Drop Citrus Soda Andretti Autosport Chevrolet, finished seventh. Ryan Briscoe, No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet, took the checkered flag in eighth position.
Chevrolet IndyCar V6 drivers continue to hold down four of the top-five spots in the Driver Standings. Hunter-Reay leads Castroneves by 23 points with Power in third, just three points behind Castroneves. James Hinchcliffe, No. 27 Team GoDaddy.com Andretti Autosport Chevrolet, is fifth in points.
