Will Power wins from pole at Sonoma

What a difference one year makes. Last year, Will Power saw his season end at Infineon Raceway in a horrific crash. This year, he’s in Victory Lane and in solid control of the IZOD IndyCar Series championship.

Power led 73 of 75 laps in today’s Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, but still had to turn back a final assault from Scott Dixon in the final six laps to claim his fifth victory of the season. His triumph gives him a 59-point lead in the title race over Dario Franchitti — who finished third in the event behind teammate Dixon — with four races remaining in the 2010 campaign.

Ryan Briscoe came home in fourth position, followed by Helio Castroneves to round out the top five. Positions 6-10 were filled by Justin Wilson, Tony Kanaan, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Graham Rahal and Alex Lloyd.

More to come…