Despite resuming the lead during pitstops, Tracy's bid for victory was basically ended as early as lap 27 when his Forsythe team were unable to get the fuelling rig to connect, forcing the Canadian to make another stop several laps later. Although that effectively put Power in the driving seat for the rest of the afternoon it gave Tracy an opportunity to really hammer the new car and do some important ‘overtaking research.' On both counts, the new Panoz stood up well, which at least bodes well for the remainder of the season, once the current spare parts shortage and mechanical niggles are sorted.
Following Tracy's slightly delayed final stop, Power resumed the lead for good on lap 55 having also waited through a protracted pit stop window that also saw his former Team Australia stablemate Alex Tagliani and an on-form Junqueira take turns in the lead. While Tracy would go all out guns blazing in the closing laps to fight back and take the final podium position, was able to cruise through the final 13 laps to the chequered flag.
“We had a good car,” stated Power. “It handled well all day. The only issue I had was a really long brake pedal at the end of the race. But we had an 18-second lead, so we just brought it home and brought Derrick Walker his second win since '99. It's his birthday. So a pole and a win, I think that's a pretty good present for him.”
On his Champ Car debut, former
Red Bull F1 tester Robert Doornbos took second place, 16-seconds behind Power, for Team Minardi USA after a mature, and above all else, quick drive. While Doornbos was undoubtedly helped by the problems experienced by Tracy, Junqueira, triple defending series champ
Sebastien Bourdais and RSPORTS Justin Wilson, the Dutchman has already marked himself out as a regular podium contender.
