Will Power wins second IndyCar championship with third place in season finale

MONTEREY, California — Sticking with the steady and unspectacular methods he used all season, Will Power clinched his second NTT IndyCar Series championship with a third-place finish Sunday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

After starting on the pole position for a record 68th time in his career, the Team Penske driver led 17 laps but stayed near the front for nearly all 95 laps on the 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course on California’s Monterey Peninsula.

Power, who also won the title in 2014, finished 16 points ahead of teammate Josef Newgarden, who finished second after starting 25th because of a spin in qualifying.

Race winner Alex Palou also turned in an inspired drive, winning by more than 30 seconds after starting 11th because of a six-position grid penalty. It was the first victory of the season for the defending series champion, who has been embroiled in a contract dispute with Chip Ganassi Racing.

RETWEET to congratulate @12WillPower!