Australian Will Power has overcome a costly penalty in qualifying to win his first race of the IndyCar season at Belle Isle.

Power, denied a track record in qualifying when penalised for interference – which saw him start from eighth on the grid – prevailed for his 26th career victory and first since the Grand Prix of Indianapolis in May 2015.

Power held off points leader Simon Pagenaud to win by 0.92 seconds, having passed the pole-sitter with 18 laps remaining before taking over the race lead on the 61st of 70 laps on the street course.