Will Power played an IndyCar tire management game to perfection Sunday, winning the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle Raceway.
The Team Penske driver scored his first victory of the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series and winning by 1.0027 seconds over a hard-charging Alexander Rossi.
Power started 16th on the primary tire compound (which is slower at the start of a stint but more durable) and moved into the lead on Lap 14 as many of the drivers on the alternate red tire (faster but less durable) pitted in front of them.
That started with Rossi, who pitted on the fourth lap to get off the softer red compound (IndyCar drivers are required to use each compound during a race) on the first of three stops.
Power elected to make two stops, switching to reds with 20 laps to go. The tires faded in the final 10 laps as Rossi took huge chunks out of a 16-second lead but eventually ran out of time.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Power radioed his team. “Redemption, boys! Redemption.”
“I think one more lap would have been really interesting, but you’ve got to give the credit to Will Power and the 12 guys to hang on,” Rossi told NBC Sports’ Marty Snider. “Yet again, we come with an amazing car but can’t get a win but good recovery from yesterday, and we’ll take it.
“We’re finally just executing our potential. it’s been frustrating for a lot of reasons, but the speed has been there.”
Power lost a race at Belle Isle last year after dominating before his car didn’t refire immediately after a red flag with four laps remaining.
Scott Dixon finished third, followed by Josef Newgarden and Pato O’Ward as the final race on the 14-turn, 2.35-mile street course went caution free.
Next year, the Detroit Grand Prix will move to a new downtown layout.
Power took over the championship points lead, moving three points ahead of Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson.
Will Power finds redemption with victory in Detroit Grand Prix on sound strategy originally appeared on NBCSports.com
