Briscoe bests Power for 7th IRL victory

Associated Press

SONOMA, Calif.

Ryan Briscoe hadn’t celebrated an IndyCar victory in two years, so it’s no wonder he stalled his car during his post-race burnout.

Will Power and Chevrolet also are leaving wine country with reasons to celebrate — hopefully with a bit more style.

Briscoe got past teammate Power out of a pit stop Sunday and held off the two-time defending Sonoma champion for his seventh career victory, capping a masterful weekend for Chevrolet and Penske Racing.

“We always get excited when we come to this race,” Briscoe said. “For whatever reason, Team Penske cars are always strong. Will and I kind of dominated all weekend.”

Although Briscoe got the traditional goblet of wine, he wasn’t the only big winner.

Chevrolet clinched the manufacturers’ championship in the first season of its return to IndyCar with six of its cars in the top 10 — including another dominant performance by the Penske team, which took three of the top six spots.

“To see them win the manufacturers’ championship in their first year is very rewarding,” owner Roger Penske said.