Summary
The GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma was an open-wheel IndyCar motor race and held as the fourteenth and penultimate round of the 2012 IndyCar Series season. It took place on Sunday, August 26, 2012. The race was contested over 85 laps at the 2.303-mile (3.706 km) at Sonoma Raceway, California, United States.
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| 13th round of the 2012 IndyCar Series season | |
 | |
| Date | August 26, 2012 |
| Official name | GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma |
| Location | Sonoma Raceway |
| Course | Permanent racing facility 2.303 mi / 3.706 km |
| Distance | 85 laps 195.755 mi / 315.010 km |
| Weather | Temperatures reaching up to 75 °F (24 °C); wind speeds up to 17.1 miles per hour (27.5 km/h)[1] |
| Pole position | |
| Driver | Will Power (Team Penske) |
| Time | 1:17.2709 |
| Fastest lap | |
| Driver | Ryan Hunter-Reay (Andretti Autosport) |
| Time | 1:19.1848 (on lap 82 of 85) |
| Podium | |
| First | Ryan Briscoe (Team Penske) |
| Second | Will Power (Team Penske) |
| Third | Dario Franchitti (Chip Ganassi Racing) |
The race was won by Australian racer Ryan Briscoe racing for Team Penske. Briscoe finished 0.4 seconds ahead of Australian team mate Will Power with British driver Dario Franchitti finishing third for Chip Ganassi Racing. It was Briscoe's first win since the 2010 Firestone 550, and also his last win in IndyCar. Brazilian driver and Formula One veteran Rubens Barrichello finished fourth in his best result since joining IndyCar. Power's second place, coupled with Ryan Hunter-Reay finishing 18th expanded Power's lead in the championship. Power led Hunter-Reay by 36 points.[2]
The event marked a notable change in the course layout. The cars used the inner loop at the back hairpin instead of the outer loop in order to open a passing zone. The exit of the bus stop was widened to allow for more room. Another passing zone was established by using a part of the hairpin instead of cutting it off altogether.
Classification edit
Race results edit
- Notes
1 Points include 1 point for pole position and 2 points for most laps led.
Standings after the race edit
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References edit
- ^ "Weather information for the 2012 GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma". The Old Farmers' Almanac. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (2012-08-26). "Briscoe uncorks Sonoma victory -- first since 2010". indycar.com. Indycar. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
- ^ "Official Box Score" (PDF). indycar.com. Indycar. 2012-08-26. Retrieved 2012-09-08.