Will Power has achieved his first top 10 finish on an oval in a breakthrough result with ninth in the Iowa Corn Indy 250 at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa today.

The Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia driver improved two spots in the 2008 IndyCar Series standings with this result and now lies ninth in points after seven races.

Significantly, Power is the first driver in the championship standings outside of the ‘Big Three’ established IndyCar teams of Chip Ganassi Racing, Penske Racing and Andretti-Green Racing, showing just how fast the driver from Toowoomba, Queensland and his Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia crew are coming to grips with a new car and oval racing in their first IndyCar season.

The strength of Power’s result was not just the final finishing position, but the way the 27-year-old achieved it, running with and passing established IndyCar Series drivers and teams around the 0.875-mile oval.

Power ran strongly all day in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia Honda/Dallara/Firestone and towards the end of the race the IndyCar rookie really began to make his mark.

Power moved past drivers such as Ryan Briscoe, Helio Castroneves and Ryan Hunter-Reay as part of a frantic battle over the final 20 laps of the race.

Dan Wheldon won today’s Iowa Corn Indy 250 at Iowa Speedway ahead of Hideki Mutoh and Marco Andretti.

Power and the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia crew will back up for the second race in a six-week stretch of consecutive events in the Suntrust Indy Challenge at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

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

“That was a really good race for the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car,” said Power.

“I was able to get really good re-starts, but just lacked some speed towards the end. I am extremely happy with a top-10 finish.

“It is good for us and that’s as good as we have run on this type of oval, so I am very happy. The Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia crew have done a great job all weekend and I am looking forward to continuing to make progress next weekend in Richmond."

Craig Gore: Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“My hat goes off to Will and the Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia guys,” said Gore.

“Will ran right up there in the top 10 today and had great car speed.

“With every oval race Will and the team get stronger and stronger and today was a big achievement. Things are set to get even better over the second half of the season.”

RESULTS: Iowa Corn Indy 250 at Iowa Speedway
Race 7 in the 2008 IndyCar Series
1. #10 Dan Wheldon 250 laps
2. #27 Hideki Mutoh
3. #26 Marco Andretti
4. #9 Scott Dixon
5. #2 AJ Foyt IV
6. #7 Danica Patrick
7. #6 Ryan Briscoe
8. #17 Ryan Hunter Reay
9. #8 Will Power
10. #06 Graham Rahal

RESULTS: Starting Line-Up
Qualifying Rained Out – Field set by Championship Points
1. #9 Scott Dixon
2. #3 Helio Castroneves
3. #10 Dan Wheldon
4. #11 Tony Kanaan
5. #6 Ryan Briscoe
6. #7 Danica Patrick
7. #27 Hideki Mutoh
8. #26 Marco Andretti
9. #20 Ed Carpenter
10. #5 Oriol Servia
11. #8 Will Power

2008 IndyCar Series Points Standings - After Race 7
1. #9 Scott Dixon 316
2. #3 Helio Castroneves 268
3. #10 Dan Wheldon 267
4. #11 Tony Kanaan 216
5. #27 Hideki Mutoh 199
5. #6 Ryan Briscoe 195
6. #7 Danica Patrick 192
8. #26 Marco Andretti 189
9. #8 Will Power 169
10. #20 Ed Carpenter 166

2008 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Standings - After Race 7
1. #27 Hideki Mutoh 199
2. #8 Will Power 169
3. #33 EJ Viso 150
4. #06 Graham Rahal 147
5. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 138
6. #02 Justin Wilson 135
7. #19 Mario Moraes 101
8. #24 Jay Howard 62
9. #34 Jaime Camara 58
10. #96 Mario Dominguez 57