Defending IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay has ended Will Power’s winning streak at the Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.

Hunter-Reay claimed victory in Sunday’s (Monday AM AEST) second event of this year’s championship, edging out Scott Dixon in the 90-lap race for the New Zealander’s fourth consecutive runner-up finish at the venue.

Australian Power, who won the past two races at the 2.3-mile (3.7km) street circuit, had to settle for a fifth place finish despite starting the day on the front row of the grid.

Power’s Brazilian teammate Helio Castroneves finished third to hold onto the championship lead with 79 points, nine ahead of Dixon.

Power is eighth on the standings after two races with 47 points.

The championship’s next round is the Grand Prix of Long Beach in California on April 21.