Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia driver Will Power has earned his best IndyCar Series finish with fourth place in the Honda Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course in Lexington, Ohio today.

Power’s previous best IndyCar finish was eighth on the St Petersburg street circuit in April, and while the 27-year-old’s win in Long Beach earlier this year counted towards IndyCar Series points, it was officially the final event sanctioned by Champ Car.

Power was making his debut at the sweeping Mid-Ohio circuit and did not have a car to his liking in the early stages of the weekend. But hard work from the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia crew improved the set-up with every session.

The driver from Toowoomba, Queensland qualified in 12th and in the early stages of the race was able to move up the order quickly as a result of pitting to change from slick tyres to wets on the second lap. A rain downpour just moments before the start of the race made strategy crucial and Power’s pit move allowed him to climb to third place.

Power briefly took the lead on lap 57 for three laps but when he emerged from his final pit stop he sat in fourth place, coming home strong over the final laps to earn enough points to rise two spots to now sit 11th in the 2008 IndyCar Series standings.

Fellow Aussie Ryan Briscoe won today’s Honda Indy 200 ahead of PEAK Motor Oil Pole winner Helio Castroneves and series leader Scott Dixon.

Power and the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia crew will be back in action next weekend for the Rexall Edmonton Indy in Edmonton, Canada as the former Champ Car venue hosts its first IndyCar Series event.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

Will Power: #8 Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone

“I am really happy for the Aussie Vineyards team,” said Power.

“This was a track I had never been to and we started well behind the eight-ball. We got the car better and better all weekend, made the right choice on tyres early on in the race and had a good race strategy.

“We had the pace to ride at the front and we did. I am just really happy that we got good championship points here and hopefully we can do that again next weekend in Edmonton.”

Craig Gore: Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“Great job by Will and the entire Aussie Vineyards team today at Mid-Ohio,” said Gore.

“The Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car wasn’t the best early in the weekend but the guys kept at it and turned a car that was midfield in practice into a car that led laps and came home top five on merit on Sunday. It’s a great job by everyone.

“Will grabbed a good chunk of points today and is on the edge of the top 10. Edmonton will be one of our best races for the season with Will and the team’s past experience there and it’s always a great event.

“I’m sure we will gain momentum from this and keep it going all the way through the last part of the season.”

RESULTS: Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course
Race 12 in the 2008 IndyCar Series
1. #6 Ryan Briscoe 85 laps
2. #3 Helio Castroneves
3. #9 Scott Dixon
4. #8 Will Power
5. #5 Oriol Servia
6. #4 Vitor Meira
7. #11 Tony Kanaan
8. #14 Darren Manning
9. #27 Hideki Mutoh
10. #17 Ryan Hunter-Reay

RESULTS: PEAK Motor Oil Pole Qualifying
1. #3 Helio Castroneves 1:07.2480
2. #6 Ryan Briscoe 1:07.2657
3. #26 Marco Andretti 1:07.4107
4. #02 Justin Wilson 1:07.5442
5. #11 Tony Kanaan 1:07.5750
6. #9 Scott Dixon 1:07.5930
7. #15 Buddy Rice 1:07.7551
8. #5 Oriol Servia 1:07.8447
9. #18 Bruno Junqueira 1:07.8689
10. #27 Hideki Mutoh 1:07.9031
12. #8 Will Power 1:08.0678

2008 IndyCar Series Points Standings - After Race 12
1. #9 Scott Dixon 455
2. #3 Helio Castroneves 397
3. #11 Tony Kanaan 365
4. #10 Dan Wheldon 364
5. #6 Ryan Briscoe 296
6. #7 Danica Patrick 284
7. #27 Hideki Mutoh 276
8. #26 Marco Andretti 263
9. #17 Ryan Hunter-Reay 252
10. #5 Oriol Servia 250
11. #8 Will Power 245

2008 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Standings - After Race 12
1. #27 Hideki Mutoh 276
2. #8 Will Power 245
3. #06 Graham Rahal 215
4. #33 EJ Viso 202
5. #02 Justin Wilson 202
6. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 182
7. #19 Mario Moraes 172
8. #34 Jaime Camara 114
9. #96 Mario Dominguez 86
10. #24 Jay Howard 72

AUSTRALIAN TV REPLAY
Monday 21 July 2008
ESPN
7:00pm – 9:30pm AEST