Power wins again in Sao Paulo

SAO PAULO - Will Power loves racing in Brazil.

Power had a flawless race to win IndyCar's Sao Paulo 300 for the third straight time Sunday, extending his dominance on the streets of South America's biggest city.

The Australian was hardly challenged at the 2.5-mile, 11-turn Anhembi circuit, taking control of the race from the start to finish ahead of American Ryan Hunter Reay.

"I think I love Brazil, I love Sao Paulo," Power said.

Japan's Takuma Sato had a great run to finish third for his first podium after starting only 25th and overcoming a drive-thru penalty, while Brazilian Helio Castroneves was fourth after starting 18th. Three-time defending series champion Dario Franchitti recovered from an early spin to finish fifth.

It was Power's third straight victory after four races this season, and Penske's fourth straight. It is the first time the team wins four in a row to start the season, dating to the introduction of CART in 1979. Penske also won the first three races of the year in 2010.

Power became the first driver since Scott Dixon in 2007 to win three consecutive races. It was the Australian's 18th career victory at IndyCar.

"Something is clicking there very well," Hunter-Reay said. "I don't think it's a coincidence at all that they've won as many as they've won this season. Three out of four, that's astonishing."

Power led the most laps and clearly was faster than the rest of the field on Sunday, but had to fend off Hunter-Reay on a couple of late restarts, including one with five laps to go. Power crossed the line less than a second ahead of the American.

"I was giving absolutely everything I had to keep Ryan behind," said Power, who started from the pole position. "A solid day when you look at it, very solid, no mistakes."

Reay said he knew his best chance was to try to make a move at the restarts.

"I was certainly going hard, giving Will Power every bit of the fight that I had in me going into Turn 1. I tried to get him on the outside," the Andretti Autosport driver said. "It was a good race, a lot of fun, but came out just a little bit short."

Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300

Sunday

At Sao Paulo Street Circuit

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Lap length: 2.536 miles

(Starting position in parentheses)

1. (1) Will Power, Dallara-Chevrolet, 75, Running.

2. (5) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Chevrolet, 75, Running.

3. (25) Takuma Sato, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running.

4. (18) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Chevrolet, 75, Running.

5. (2) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running.

6. (4) James Hinchcliffe, Dallara-Chevrolet, 75, Running.

7. (14) J.R. Hildebrand, Dallara-Chevrolet, 75, Running.

8. (15) Charlie Kimball, Dallara-Honda, 75, Running.

9. (13) E.J. Viso, Dallara-Chevrolet, 75, Running.

10. (12) Rubens Barrichello, Dallara-Chevrolet, 75, Running.

11. (23) Oriol Servia, Dallara-Lotus, 75, Running.

12. (16) Simon Pagenaud, Dallara-Honda, 74, Running.

13. (11) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Chevrolet, 74, Running.

14. (10) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Chevrolet, 74, Running.

15. (17) James Jakes, Dallara-Honda, 74, Running.

16. (6) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, 74, Running.

17. (3) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 74, Running.

18. (22) Sebastien Bourdais, Dallara-Lotus, 74, Running.

19. (7) Mike Conway, Dallara-Honda, 73, Running.

20. (19) Ana Beatriz, Dallara-Chevrolet, 73, Running.

21. (20) Ed Carpenter, Dallara-Chevrolet, 72, Running.

22. (26) Justin Wilson, Dallara-Honda, 66, Mechanical.

23. (8) Josef Newgarden, Dallara-Honda, 61, Contact.

24. (21) Simona de Silvestro, Dallara-Lotus, 28, Contact.

25. (9) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Chevrolet, 21, Contact.

26. (24) Katherine Legge, Dallara-Lotus, 20, Contact.

Points: Power 180, Castroneves 135, Hinchcliffe 123, Hunter-Reay 121, Pagenaud 118, Dixon 109, Sato 83, Briscoe 83, Hildebrand 83, Franchitti 82.