Will Power has moved through the field to finish eighth in a frantic Detroit Indy Grand Prix at the Belle Isle street circuit in Detroit, Michigan today.

Power, who started 12th due to a crash in qualifying yesterday, showed strong speed in the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car around the 3.776km/2.346 mile street circuit to improve as the race progressed.

The Australian driver passed Danica Patrick to take 11th place on lap 15 on the tight and twisting layout, known as a tough layout for passing.

Power was up to seventh during the middle stages of the race, as fast lap times on a clear track and a fast pit stop from the Aussie Vineyards crew both paid dividends.

Power was then delayed when he clipped the rear of Ryan Hunter-Reay’s car as he tried to pass the American for sixth position.

The clash broke the left side of the front wing on Power’s car, but the 27-year-old persevered for a further two laps before pitting for repairs, ensuring he would have enough fuel to make this stop his final for the day.

The slow laps with the broken wing dropped Power down the order to 12th, but the driver from Toowoomba, Queensland was able to display his street circuit prowess and move past cars up to eighth position, one place ahead of fellow Australian Ryan Briscoe.

Justin Wilson won the Detroit Indy Grand Prix today ahead of Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan.

Power and the Aussie Vineyards crew will be back in action for the final points scoring race of the season next weekend for the Peak Antifreeze Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY …

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

“I think the Aussie Vineyards–Team Australia crew did a great job today,” said Power.

“The car was really quick, but I was just unable to pass (Ryan) Hunter-Reay. I tried in Turn 7, got a run on him, then backed out at the last moment, which I shouldn’t have done and lost the front wing.

“The guys did a great job in the pits getting me back out. I think at best we could have finished fifth or sixth, so it cost me a couple of spots, but still it was a great day and I was happy to have a good, fun race. I enjoyed it a lot.”

Craig Gore: Aussie Vineyards - Team Australia

“A great team effort from Team Australia today in Detroit,” said Gore.

“It was not an easy race, but Will and the Aussie Vineyards crew kept at it and got us a top 10 finish on a day that many other contenders stumbled.

“I think we had car speed to be further up the order, but with all the setbacks that we encountered we should be pleased with how the race ended up for us.

“We want to finish the year with a solid oval performance at Chicagoland next weekend, then set ourselves to win in front of our home crowd on the Gold Coast.”

RESULTS: Detroit Indy Grand Prix at Belle Isle
Race 16 of the 2008 IndyCar Series
1. #02 Justin Wilson 87 laps
2. #3 Helio Castroneves
3. #11 Tony Kanaan
4. #5 Oriol Servia
5. #9 Scott Dixon
6. #17 Ryan Hunter-Reay
7. #18 Bruno Junqueira
8. #8 Will Power
9. #6 Ryan Briscoe
10. #2 AJ Foyt IV

RESULTS: PEAK Motor Oil Pole Qualifying
Top six times set in separate Firestone Fast Six shootout
1. #9 Scott Dixon 1:12.2861
2. #3 Helio Castroneves 1:12.7649
3. #5 Oriol Servia 1:12.9618
4. #02 Justin Wilson 1:13.0530
5. #6 Ryan Briscoe 1:13.1004
6. #06 Graham Rahal 1:13.6464
7. #17 Ryan Hunter-Reay 1:12.9511
8. #11 Tony Kanaan 1:13.2339
9. #33 EJ Viso 1:13.5354
10. #7 Danica Patrick 1:13.9158
12. #8 Will Power no time