Briscoe takes wins after Power crashes into wall on 17th lap

SURFERS PARADISE, Australia (AP) — Ryan Briscoe thought Sunday’s Indy 300 was a great way to cap off the year. Will Power thought it featured the worst mistake of his career.

No trouble figuring which one of these Aussies won, and which might not have reached the finish line.

Briscoe took the lead when polesitter Power crashed into the wall on the 17th lap, giving Team Penske its first victory Down Under since 1992, when Emerson Fittipaldi was the winner. It was also the first victory by a homegrown driver in the Australian race.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” Briscoe said. “What a way to cap off the year, and in my home country.”

For the third straight year Power, who grew up about a two-hour drive from the track, thought it might just be him.

Fastest in two practice sessions Friday and winner of the qualifying session Saturday, Power took a two-second lead after four laps in the 60-lap race on the sun-drenched oceanside street track.

But it all came undone when he clipped the wall on Turn 6. While Power heavily criticized Sebastien Bourdais for taking him out of the race in 2006, and he made contact last year with Katherine Legge that forced him out, this year he had only himself to blame.

With his suspension gone, he hit the next wall and then drove the damaged car to the back of a tire barrier, where it stayed until the race ended.

“It’s a big disappointment, the worst mistake of my career,” said Power, who appeared to be close to tears in the pits. “It’s motorsports, but I just can’t win at this place. I had such a quick car this weekend ... it was just a bad display.”

Briscoe finished .5019 seconds ahead of Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon of New Zealand on the 2.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit. American Ryan Hunter-Reay was third.

Alex Tagliani of Canada, who is attempting to cement a place with Conquest Racing after two races with the team, was fourth, followed by Oriol Servia.

“It was definitely special to win here,” said Briscoe. “I was getting pressured there at the end with Scott and low fuel. I really feel bad for Will Power. He had a real fast car.”

Only three pole-sitters have won in the 18-year history of the Australian race — Nigel Mansell in 1993, Jimmy Vasser in 1996 and Dario Franchitti in 1999.