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Helio Castroneves wins Japan 300 from the pole

Marlboro Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves of Brazil kisses his trophy after winning the Bridgestone Indy Japan 300 in Motegi, Japan, yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Pole-sitter Helio Castroneves won the Indy Japan 300 yesterday, claiming his second straight IndyCar Series win of the season.

Castroneves, who won the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg earlier this month, dominated throughout the 200-lap race and crossed the finish line 6.3851 seconds ahead of defending champion Dan Wheldon.

"It's great to finally win here in Japan," said Castroneves. "We had a very strong car today. We're not quite 100 percent yet, but we're right up there."

After securing victory, the Brazilian driver jumped out of his Honda-powered Dallara and, as is his tradition, climbed the fence in a victory celebration.

Rain disrupted practice and wiped out qualifying on Friday, but conditions were perfect for yesterday's race at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit north of Tokyo.

Castroneves, who led for 184 laps of yesterday's race, started from the pole position because he led the IRL championship with 93 points heading into the event.

Wheldon was bidding to become the first IndyCar Series driver to win three years in a row at the same track, but couldn't close the gap on Castroneves, who won for the first time in Japan.

"It was an up and down day," said Wheldon. "My pace just wasn't consistent and that's what cost me. Helio has a got a bit of momentum but it certainly can be stopped and I'll do my best to stop it."
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