SONOMA, Calif. (AP) - Simon Pagenaud gave Roger Penske an IndyCar championship to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the one of the most storied organization in motorsports.
The Frenchman won his first career IndyCar title in his sophomore season driving for Penske. He did it in dominating fashion by winning the season finale Sunday at Sonoma Raceway, where he needed only a smooth finish to put a wrap on this breakthrough season.
Pagenaud entered the weekend 43 points ahead of teammate Will Power as the Penske drivers were the only two mathematically eligible to win the championship. But Pagenaud won the pole to earn another point, led the most laps and won a race that was worth double points in the standings.
It was a moot point, though: Power had mechanical issues 38 laps into the race that sealed the outcome.
