Brazil’s Kanaan wins IRL race in Iowa

Associated Press

NEWTON, Iowa

Tony Kanaan went to bed Saturday night in a foul mood after qualifying 15th at a track that’s brought him nothing but frustration.

He woke on Sunday determined not to let his shaky past at the Iowa Speedway or anywhere else dictate how he ran the Iowa 250.

Kanaan overtook fellow Brazilian Helio Castroneves with 10 laps left and held on to win at Iowa on Sunday, erasing three crash-filled years of history at the speedy short oval.

It was the first win since 2008 for Kanaan, who last took the checkered flag in Richmond two years ago. Kanaan ran into contact in each of his first three starts at Iowa, but he zipped past Castroneves on lap 240 and cruised to victory by over four seconds.

“I’ve had three years to think about why I didn’t finish. When I came here people kept reminding me of that,” said Kanaan, who led for 62 laps. “I never finished, and then I finished. I finished first, so know we have a different story.”

Castroneves finished second and E.J. Viso was a career-best third. Penske teammates Ryan Briscoe and pole winner Will Power rounded out the top five.

Danica Patrick finished 10th. Dario Franchitti, a two-time winner in Iowa, had mechanical issues with 50 laps left and finished 18th, losing his points lead to Power in the process.

Kanaan started the race 15th, but he moved up quickly and took the lead about halfway through the race.