SONOMA, Calif. (Aug. 25, 2013) – Will Power is no stranger to Sonoma Raceway's Winner Circle. The path he's taken in the past has been conventional by most standards but Sunday's win took a different twist when he became the defacto winner as the result of a pit stop mishap. The ramifications were of a serious nature for the leader of the race, Scott Dixon, who had been trying to close the gap between himself and the series leader, Helio Castroneves in the point standings. The pundits had a field day with it all and fans were throwing around accusations, stating that the crew members involved were responsible for the mayhem that ensued. Who was right and who was wrong hardly matters now. The race is over and Power was the one standing at the podium when all was said and done.

Will Power became the 10th different winner in 15 IZOD IndyCar Series races by recording a 1.1930-second victory in the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma.

Power, who started third in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car, led the final 16 laps to win at the 2.385-mile, 12-turn Sonoma Raceway for the third time in four years. It was the first victory for Power, the series championship runner-up the past three years, since April 29, 2012, at Brazil.

Power inherited the lead on Lap 70 when Scott Dixon was issued a drive-through penalty by INDYCAR for a pit safety infraction on his final pit stop under caution. Dixon and Power were running 1-2 when they pitted on Lap 64, with Power's pit stall directly in front of Dixon's. As the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car made its break, it clipped the right-rear tire carried by Penske crew member Travis Law, which knocked him into airjack man Damon Lopez. The crewmembers were evaluated and released without injury.

Race Control issued the penalty after multiple video views. Race director Beaux Barfield cited Rule 7.10.1.6 (contact with personnel; under the pit procedures heading) of the IZOD IndyCar Series rulebook in making the ruling.

There were seven penalties issued in the race, including another for a pit safety violation by E.J. Viso, in the hotly contested race. The race also featured a track-record seven cautions for a total of 21 laps.

In the final laps, Dixon charged from 20th to 15th. He picked up three bonus points – two for leading the most laps (27) and one for leading a lap – and trails Helio Castroneves by 39 points heading to the Sept. 1 Grand Prix of Baltimore. Dixon entered the race 31 points back of Castroneves, who finished seventh for his 11th consecutive top 10 in the No. 3 Hitachi Team Penske car.

Justin Wilson placed a season-high second and Verizon P1 Award winner Dario Franchitti recorded his fourth podium finish in the past five races.

Thirteen drivers remain in championship contention.

Power, who recorded his 19th career victory, said he "learned a lot about myself" during the winless drought (he had a best finish of third at Milwaukee this season).

"I just kept at it, and I'm just stoked for all the guys that make this possible," he said. "It's great for our confidence and we're back in our winning ways."

In other racing action on Sunday, Andy Pilgrim (Cadillac Racing) and Brandon Davis (Barracuda Networks Aston Martin) posted victories in the World Challenge Series GT and GTS classes, respectively. Ange Barde (France) claimed the win in the Maserati Trofeo race #3, while Sausalito's Michael Whelden took the checkers in Formula Car Challenge's third race of the weekend.

IZOD IndyCar Series
GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. - Results Sunday of the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma IZOD IndyCar Series event on the 2.385 mile Sonoma Raceway, with order of finish, starting position in parentheses, driver, chassis-engine, laps completed and reason out (if any):