American race car driver Ryan Hunter-Reay has won the Honda Indy Toronto, seizing the title of champion from previous winner Dario Franchitti.
The 31-year-old driver took the lead on Lap 49 on Sunday. Though he fell behind briefly on a pit stop, Hunter-Reay reclaimed his lead on Lap 57 and rode it to the finish.
The 2012 Honda Indy marks Hunter-Reay’s third consecutive IndyCar victory, but is his first big win on a street course this season.
“It really shows that this team can get it done on all venues,” Hunter-Reay told reporters after the race. “We’re looking to make a championship run here, no doubt about it.”
A Toronto win was also a victory for Hunter-Reay’s mother.
“My mom’s from Hamilton, just up the road, so this is a special one, for sure,” Hunter-Reay said.
Despite beginning from the pole position, defending champ Franchitti was unable to maintain his first-place lead. He lagged behind on a pit stop before getting into a collision with Australian driver Ryan Briscoe.
Another American driver, Charlie Kimball, finished second on the Exhibition Place course. He was followed by British driver Mike Conway.
The annual race began just after 12:30 p.m., but eager Indy fans could be seen crowding onto the exhibition grounds as soon gates opened at 8 a.m.
Many who were rooting for rising star James Hinchcliffe had their hopes dashed when the Oakville, Ont. native was forced to pit on Lap 28 with engine problems.
"It started as a little hesitation that was progressively getting worse, and that usually means it's going to blow up soon," Hinchcliffe told The Canadian Press. "Rather than risk that and maybe having a 10-place penalty in Edmonton (on July 22), hopefully we can take this one back, get it fixed and just hit the ground running in two weeks."
It may have appeared to be a case of deja vu for the 25-year-old who had engine problems during a Friday practice and incurred a lap penalty when his team changed engines.
Despite the disappointing result, Hinchcliffe remained upbeat in front of his home crowd.
“It's so cool coming home to race in Toronto," he said. "I guess I'm getting a small sense of what Paul (Tracy) lived through for all these years. You can't go through the paddock on your scooter without 10, 12, 15 people knowing who you are and wishing you luck.
"I've never experienced anything like this."
Earlier in the day, Honda Indy Toronto’s vice-president and general manager explained how Hinchcliffe was previously considered the local favourite to win the race.
Speaking to CP24 reporter Katie Simpson, Charlie Johnstone noted that Hinchcliffe races for Andretti Autosport, a team named after revered racing legend Michael Andretti.
“His boss has won this race seven times. You’ve got to think he has some insight around this track,” he said in an interview that aired on CTV News Channel.
But even with Andretti’s knowledgeable backing, Hinchcliffe was forced to pull over with engine concerns and was unable to return to the track.
With files from The Canadian Press
