A strategic gamble failed to pay off for IndyCar driver Will Power as his Alabama winning streak came to an end.

The Australian, chasing a third win in as many races at Barber Motorsports Park, went for a two-stop strategy in Sunday’s (Monday AM AEST) Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.

But while Power’s gamble enabled him to take the race lead after 26 of 90 laps, he couldn’t hold on and eventually finished fifth in a race won by defending IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay.

The result means Power sits eighth on the championship standings after two races and the 32-year-old admitted he had hoped for something better on the day.

“We thought we had a good plan and just needed a yellow at any point after lap 31,” he said.

“Unfortunately it didn’t come and we fought for the fifth place finish.

“It isn’t exactly what we wanted to get out of the weekend but is still a good points day and gets us closer to the top.”

Hunter-Reay finished ahead of Scott Dixon, the fourth time from as many starts at Barber that the New Zealander has had to settle for second spot.

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

Hunter-Reay, who pipped Power to last year’s title, said the win was an important step in the American showing his championship victory wasn’t a one-off.

“It shows what we’re about,” Hunter-Reay said.

“It shows that last year wasn’t a fluke. We really worked for it today.”

The championship’s next stop will be the Grand Prix of Long Beach in California on April 21, where Power is again the defending event champion.