Australian Will Power held off New Zealand's Scott Dixon over the last six laps after a restart to win the IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma on Sunday, boosting his season points lead.
Power's fifth victory of the season was his third in the past four races. He won earlier this season at Brazil, St. Petersburg, Watkins Glen and Toronto - all road course events as was his triumph Sunday in California wine country.
"What a perfect weekend," Power said. "It's a great feeling."
Dixon settled for second after 75 laps over the 2.303-mile, 12-turn road course with Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti of Scotland third followed by Aussie Ryan Briscoe, Brazil's Helio Castroneves and England's Justin Wilson.
Power has 514 points to lead Franchitti by 59 points and Dixon by 95 after 13 of races in the IndyCar season, which continues Saturday in suburban Chicago and next month in Kentucky and Japan and concludes October 2 at Miami.
The final four races are on ovals, not the road courses where Power has ruled all year, but Power is not worried about holding off his rivals for his first series crown.
"I'm going for it. I want to win this championship," Power said. "I'm not going to do anything stupid but I want to win on an oval.
After setting an IndyCar record with his eighth pole start of the season, surpassing Castroneves' old mark from 2007, Power led all but two laps, those coming when he refueled during a flurry of pit stops.
Copyright 2010 AFP American Edition
