Will Power has performed well on his way to 13th in the Bombardier Learjet 550 under lights at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas today.

The Australian ran solidly all day in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone after starting eighth at the 1.5-mile tri-oval.

Power ran strongly in the early stages, holding his ground against the experienced IndyCar Series drivers and teams in the top 10.

The result equalled Power’s effort at the Indianapolis 500 in May, when the 27-year-old from Toowoomba, Queensland also scored a 13th place finish.

Power scored 17 points for his efforts and maintains 11th in the 2008 IndyCar Series standings and second in the Bombardier Learjet Rookie of the Year race with 147 points.

New Zealand’s Scott Dixon won tonight’s Bombardier Learjet 550 ahead of Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe. The race finished under caution as a result of a crash between Ryan Hunter Reay and Marco Andretti in the final laps.

Power and the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia crew will enjoy a weekend free of racing next weekend ahead of the Iowa Corn 250 at Iowa Speedway on June 22.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

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

“It was a good run tonight,” said Power.

“We learned a lot about the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car and I finished a race on a mile and a half oval.

“It was a crazy race. I had to Dodge a couple of bullets when people went in the wall, but it was good fun and the Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia crew is getting the hang of these ovals, so that’s the main thing.”

Craig Gore: Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“Will’s final result doesn’t reflect just how well he and the Aussie Vineyards crew performed in Texas,” said Gore.

“The first half of the race really showed how far things have come along for the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia guys. Will was running in the front pack and doing an outstanding job in his first Texas race.

“Texas was always going to be a big challenge and Will and the Aussie Vineyards crew performed admirably. We are nearly halfway through this year’s series and we are 11th in points and continuing to improve.”

RESULTS: Bombardier Learjet 550 at Texas Motor Speedway
Race 7 in the 2008 IndyCar Series
1. #9 Scott Dixon 228 laps
2. #3 Helio Castroneves
3. #6 Ryan Briscoe
4. #10 Dan Wheldon
5. #11 Tony Kanaan
6. #27 Hideki Mutoh
7. #4 Vitor Meira
8. #15 Buddy Rice
9. #20 Ed Carpenter
10. #7 Danica Patrick
13. #8 Will Power 226 laps