Hunter-Reay wins in Toronto

TORONTO -- This is Ryan Hunter-Reay's dream, the place he has raced toward since he was young. Three wins in a row, a lead in the points race and a chance to be IndyCar champion.

Hunter-Reay's victory Sunday at the Honda Indy Toronto gives him that opportunity. The 31-year-old American is having a breakout season and can leave his mark on a series where he has never finished higher than seventh.

Despite his recent success, he's trying to enjoy the moment and not look too far ahead.

"You gotta drive like it's your last race and I still do it that way," said Hunter-Reay.

The win breaks up a dominant run by Dario Franchitti and Will Power at the 85-lap race. Franchitti, the defending champion who also won in 1999 and 2009, entered with the pole and hopes of winning at Exhibition Place for the fourth time in his career. Power, who won in 2007 and 2010, was seeking retribution after being spun out of contention last year by Franchitti.

In the end, neither were a factor. Franchitti suffered from a bad pit stop then finished in a collision with Ryan Briscoe that ended the race under a yellow caution flag. Power, who entered the race as the points overall leader, took the lead on Lap 6 but was knocked back in the field after his front wing broke off and slashed two of his tires.

He finished 15th, and is now 34 points back of Hunter-Reay in the standings.

Hunter-Reay, meanwhile, took the lead on lap 49, lost it briefly on a pit stop, and regained it for good on Lap 57. He finished ahead of Charlie Kimball, who's second-place finish was a career best, and Mike Conway.

"To be able to be competing in the IndyCar series in a top-level team. Winning back-to-back races and challenging for the championship. Just to be in this position, to be given the opportunity is incredibly special to me, and I'm appreciative of every lap I get in this series because I love it," said Hunter-Reay.

Kimball, who started 13th and raced aggressively on the 11-turn, 2.824-kilometre street course, said he felt conflicted about the result despite the personal achievement. The 27-year-old, predominately known for driving with diabetes, was angry at himself for not seizing the opportunity to walk away as Sunday's winner.

"Somebody asked a team owner what his best race win was, and he said the next one," said Kimball. "So today is important, yes, and it's good for confidence, it's good for the team's confidence... but it's all about moving forward and learning from here rather than relying on this to continue to keep my career moving. Second's good. A win's better."

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 9, 2012 C12