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."
PHOTO: AP
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."
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
RSS