The final day of the Nikon Indy 300 on the streets of Surfers Paradise has concluded with the locals ‘FIRING UP’ to take the ultimate spoils today.
In the IndyCar Series, Australian Ryan Briscoe became the first driver from ‘Down Under’ to win on the Gold Coast in the Event’s 18 year history.
Originally from Sydney, Briscoe is also the first driver to win on the Gold Coast under the IndyCar Series category sanction, after the US open-wheel racing unification earlier this year.
Briscoe had the Brisbane-born Kiwi Scott Dixon in hot pursuit for the entire 60 lap race as he led the way from lap 17, before taking the chequered flag to be the 17th different winner of the Event.
While Briscoe was triumphant, his fellow Australian and fan favourite Will Power saw an early lead come to a cruel end after he led the opening 16 laps.
Power brushed the inside wall on the apex of Turn Five, breaking his steering and heading into the Turn 6 wall in what is the second part of the Bartercard Esses.
Power attempted to limp his mount back to the pits but was forced to park at Turn Eight, one day after making history by winning his third-consecutive pole position on the Gold Coast and becoming the first three-time polesitter for the Nikon Indy 300.
While Power met an unfortunate end, the polesitter in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series was untouchable – with the Gold Coast’s Jamie Whincup following up his pole and race one victory with two race wins today.
The results saw Whincup undeniably clinch his tenth career round win and further establish his championship lead over fellow Ford driver Mark Winterbottom and Holden driver Garth Tander.
While Whincup relinquished the lead for a short period early in the first of today’s two races, the majority of the weekend saw him well and truly in the leading position where, despite a continuously challenging Tander.
When it came to round wins in the Carrera Cup, the only support category to race today, it was James Moffat who stood on the top step, with David Wall second and the season champion Craig Baird – the Gold Coaster secured the championship before this weekend’s final round – in third.