Will Power has overcome a shaky day in earthquake-hit north California to move within touching distance of a maiden IndyCar championship.
The 33-year-old Australian heads to next weekend’s season-ending 500-mile race with a 51-point lead in the standings following Sunday’s (Monday morning AEST) Grand Prix of Sonoma.
It means Power, a three-time championship runner-up, can finally end his IndyCar title duck if he can finish sixth or better under lights at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana next weekend.
It’s familiar territory for Power, who led by 17-points going into the 2012 season finale at the Californian oval circuit only to crash out early and hand the title to American Ryan Hunter-Reay.
A 51-point margin in 2012 would have been enough for Power to seal the title going into the season finale but this year’s championship offers double points in each of the three 500-mile events on the calendar.
That rule ensures second-placed Helio Castroneves can still close the gap to his Team Penske teammate.
“There’s still a lot of points on the table and a lot of racing to come,” Power said.
“You’ve just got to focus on the job at hand and get the most out of every situation.”
In the two double-point races contested so far this year Power has come eighth at the Indianapolis 500 and 10th at the Pocono 500 with Castroneves finishing second in both events.
Power looked to be on course to all but sew up the title in the early stages of the penultimate 85-lap race in Sonoma as he led from pole position for the opening half of the event.
Castroneves had been forced to pit twice in the early stages to repair damage from a first-turn incident, giving Power every chance to take a decisive advantage.
But, as has been the case in the past when Power has been closing in on a title, the Australian delivered an unforced error when it was least needed.
The Toowoomba product spun on cold tyres in lap 40 but eventually recovered to battle his way to a 10th place finish in a race won by New Zealand’s Scott Dixon.
The other title contender, France’s Simon Pagenaud, finished third to ensure he remains alive heading to Fontana, 81 points behind Power.
Oval-based circuits such as Fontana have previously been Power’s weakness but the Australian has shown improvement on them in 2014.
Fontana was the location of Power’s first full-length oval race win last year and the Australian has built on that success this year, posting solid results and then dominating the Milwaukee 250 a fortnight ago.
He says the message to his team is a simple one as he once again aims to seal a title on the final day.
“Just head down man, like we have been,” he said.
“That’s it. That’s all.”
WHERE THERE’S A WILL
What Aussie Will Power needs to do to win the 2014 IndyCar title.
* Finish above both Castroneves and Pagenaud
* If Castroneves wins Power must finish sixth or better to win the title.
* If Pagenaud wins and Castroneves fails to finish, Power must finish 18th or better to win the title
* Win pole position (+1 point) and lead race for most laps (+2 points) and a seventh place finish or better will secure the title.
