The IZOD IndyCar Series championship was Will Power's to lose entering the MAVTV 500 INDYCAR World Championships at Auto Club Speedway. After Lap 55, it became Ryan Hunter-Reay's to win.For the third consecutive year, contact in the season finale altered the title aspirations of the Aussie. The No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car "caught a seam" in Turn 2 of the 2-mile oval, spun and made contact with the SAFER Barrier while running 12th -- a few car lengths ahead of Hunter-Reay's No. 28 Team DHL/Sun Drop Citrus Soda car.Andretti Autosport owner Michael Andretti relayed to a surprised Hunter-Reay, who 18 hours before had signed a two-year contract extension, that he had to finish sixth to claim his first series championship by one point.But wait. In this season of surprises, ultra-tight competition and high drama, all three collectively focused on the Team Penske garage as the crew converged to repair the Dallara chassis and collect 11 more laps to finish 24th and ahead of the retired car of E.J. Viso.That's exactly what transpired, forcing Hunter-Reay to finish at least fifth. Crews from rival teams cheered as the No. 12 entry was wheeled onto pit lane.That went by the wayside as Alex Tagliani's engine expired with 20 laps left and then Tony Kanaan's car made contact with the Turn 4 SAFER Barrier on Lap 241, creating a red flag with the restart on Lap 244.Ed Carpenter earned his second IZOD IndyCar Series victory for the second consecutive year in the finale and with Dario Franchitti as the runner-up. Scott Dixon finished third and Helio Castroneves was fifth.Hunter-Reay was running third on the restart and lost two positions, but the 31-year-old Floridian regained one spot when Takuma Sato's car crashed on the final lap. The points difference, in over 15 events on the most diverse set of racetracks in motorsports, was three points over Power.Hunter-Reay also clinched the A.J. Foyt Trophy for most points scored on ovals. He entered the race tied with Kanaan.Franchitti, who won the last IZOD IndyCar Series race at the speedway in 2005, tied Al Unser Jr. and Bobby Rahal for fifth all time with 88 podium finishes. He also passed Rick Mears with his 112th top-five finish and tied Castroneves and Dixon for eighth with his 29th runner-up finish.

DAY 2 NOTEBOOK:Officials with Andretti Autosport confirmed that driver Ryan Hunter-Reay will return to the team after he signed a contract extension.MICHAEL ANDRETTI (President, Chairman and CEO, Andretti Autosport):"We are happy to have Ryan (Hunter-Reay) back with us for the 2013 and 2014 IndyCar seasons. He is a tough competitor and has become an important part of our team. He is the ultimate team player and I know we can count on him, along with his teammates, to continue to be a foundation for us. We believe that he, Marco (Andretti) and James (Hinchcliffe) will continue to work together and take the team to great places with great success."RYAN HUNTER-REAY (Driver, Team DHL/Sun Drop Citrus Soda): "I have a lot of deep rooted relationships with the team and the team sponsors and I'm looking forward to continuing and further developing those relationships. I'm happy to be able to enjoy the off season knowing what the next two years hold. I'm looking forward to my return with Andretti Autosport and hope to have the opportunity to speak more on it soon, but today we are focused on leaving Fontana tonight with a championship."***Former Indy car champion Alex Zanardi won two gold medals and a silver in the recent London Paralympics using a handbike created by INDYCAR chassis manufacturer Dallara.Zanardi, who won a gold in the individual time trial class H4, another gold medal in the individual H4 (a 64 km race), and a silver in the medley relay.These remarkable achievements were all accomplished with a very special handbike, developed largely in Dallara, with the aid of professionals and friends whom Zanardi has known for much of his life, since he began racing in the 1988 Formula 3 championship with a car made in Varano.Dialma Zinelli: "The hardest thing was to define the best riding position, with the correct height and a comfortable shell. But for each small change, Alex gave us very precise feedback due to the sensitivity he developed as a driver." Regarding the whole project, he added: "It's been fantastic, emotionally intense; the team was extraordinarily motivated and the driving force behind this enthusiasm was all Alex."Dallara's CEO, Mr. Andrea Pontremoli: "Alex was able to involve the entire company with his dream and we are proud that the result rewards an exceptional person. It has also promoted the image of an Italy that works."Gian Paolo Dallara said "he is a unique person, enriching those who have the privilege of knowing him."MAVTV 500 RACE RUNNING:At 5:45 p.m., the ambient temperature was 98 degrees, with a relative humidity of 14 percent. Skies were fair. The track temperature was 113 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.5:46 p.m. - Nate Block, General Manager, DISH Commercial Services and grand marshal of the MAVTV 500, gave the command, "Drivers, start your engines." All cars have started and are rolling on the grid.Lap 1: #26 Andretti leads the field into Turn 1. #11 Kanaan makes a pass for the lead in Turn 2. He leads at the line .1339 of a second.Lap 2: #26 Andretti takes the leads for Kanaan with a pass in Turn 3.Lap 5: #4 Hildebrand leads #26 Andretti by .3176 of a second.Lap 10: #4 Hildebrand leads #26 Andretti by .2038 of a second.***JR Hildebrand leads an IZOD IndyCar Series race for the third time in 2012 and the sixth time in his IZOD IndyCar Series career. The most laps he has led in the series was 7 at Indianapolis in 2011.***Lap 15: #4 Hildebrand leads #26 Andretti by .5040 of a second.Lap 20: #4 Hildebrand leads #26 Andretti by 1.6092 seconds.Lap 25: #4 Hildebrand leads #2 Briscoe by 3.2449 seconds.Lap 30: #4 Hildebrand leads #2 Briscoe by 3.6495 seconds.Lap 31: #26 Andretti on pit road for four tires and fuel and wing adjustment.Lap 35: #4 Hildebrand leads #2 Briscoe by 3.3510 seconds.Lap 36: Leader #4 Hildebrand on pit road for four tires and fuel. New leader is #2 Briscoe.Lap 38: #2 Briscoe on pit road for four tires and fuel. New leader is #15 Sato.Lap 39: #15 Sato on pit road for four tires and fuel. New leader is #67 Newgarden.Lap 40: #67 Newgarden on pit road for four tire and fuel. New leader is #4 Hildebrand.Lap 42: Green flag stops complete, #4 Hildebrand leads #20 Carpenter by 5.0874 seconds. #67 Newgarden off the pace in Turn 3. Driver reports car has no power.Lap 46: #4 Hildebrand leads #20 Carpenter 5.8138 seconds.Lap 50: #4 Hildebrand leads #2 Briscoe by 3.4500 seconds.Lap 55: YELLOW. #12 Power spins and makes hard left-side contact with SAFER Barrier in Turn 2. Driver climbs from the car without assistance from the Holmatro Safety Team. Leaders under caution are: #4 Hildebrand, #2 Briscoe, #20 Carpenter, #11 Kanaan, #98 Tagliani.Lap 58: All lead laps cars on pit lane for four tires and fuel. #4 Hildebrand wins the race off pit road followed by #20 Carpenter and #8 Barrichello.

***Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, INDYCAR Medical Director: Will Power has been checked and released from the infield care center. He is cleared to drive.WILL POWER (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske): "It's depressing to lose the championship again that way. It's the season, you can't make mistakes like that. I had understeer all night, I was having to lift, half a lane lower than I was before and caught a seam, and yeah. Man, I don't know what to say, it's depressing. I was surprised, I had been pushing all day and just went a little bit different than what I had, and nothing I can say. It's just depressing. My team was pushing me to get around him, and it was just a mistake. Just a mistake. I think now there's a very slim chance (for the championship), kind of don't even watch the rest of the race. But you know, I don't know what to say. I don't know what emotion to feel right now, so disappointed."***Lap 65: GREEN. #4 Hildebrand leads the field into Turn 1.***Lap 66: #20 Carpenter takes the lead in Turn 2.***IZOD IndyCar Series officials have penalized #22 Servia with a drive-through penalty for having too many men over the wall and #5 Viso with a drive-through for jumping the restart on Lap 65.***Lap 70: #20 Carpenter leads #4 Hildebrand by .1660 of a second.Lap 74: YELLOW. #4 Hildebrand slows dramatically on the backstretch after making light contact with the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2. Leader under caution is #20 Carpenter.Lap 75: Leaders on pit road for four tires and fuel. #19 Jakes does not stop and assumes the lead of the race. #20 Carpenter wins the race off of pit road followed by #11 Kanaan and #9 Dixon.Lap 81: Coming to the restart, #18 Wilson spins after contact from #6 Legge in Turn 3. #18 Wilson stops on course. #6 Legge heads to pit lane for repairs.Lap 85: GREEN. #19 Jakes leads the field into Turn 1. #20 Carpenter takes the lead in Turn 3.Lap 90: #20 Carpenter leads #9 Dixon by .7428 of a second.Lap 95: #20 Carpenter leads #9 Dixon by .3395 of a second.Lap 100: #20 Carpenter leads #9 Dixon by .6519 of a second.Lap 106: #20 Carpenter leads #9 Dixon by .9864 of a second.Lap 107: YELLOW. Smoke trailing from #8 Barrichello. Car stops off course and has a small fire on board. Barrichello climbs from his car without assistance. Leader under caution are: #20 Carpenter, #9 Dixon, #15 Sato, #11 Kanaan and #10 Franchitti.Lap 110: Leaders on pit lane for four tires and fuel. #20 Carpenter wins the race off of pit road followed by #11 Kanaan, #9 Dixon and #15 Sato.Lap 115: GREEN. #20 Carpenter leads the field into Turn 1.

Lap 120: #20 Carpenter leads #11 Kanaan by .2194 of a secondLap 123: #9 Dixon takes lead of the race off of Turn 4.Lap 124: #12 Power has rejoined the race.Lap 125: #9 Dixon leads #20 Carpenter by .4253 of a second.

Lap 130: #9 Dixon leads #11 Kanaan by .2969 of a second.Lap 134: #11 Kanaan takes lead from #9 Dixon in Turn 2.

Lap 135: #11 Kanaan leads #9 Dixon by .4589 of a second.

Lap 140: #11 Kanaan leads #3 Castroneves by .5499 of a second.Lap 146: #11 Kanaan leads #3 Castroneves by 2.1519 seconds.Lap 148: Leader #11 Kanaan on pit road for four tires and fuel. New leader is #3 Castroneves. #9 Dixon also on pit road for four tires and fuel.Lap 150: Leader #3 Castroneves on pit road for four tires and fuel. New leader is #15 Sato.Lap 152: Leader #15 Sato on pit road for four tires and fuel. New leader is #11 Kanaan.Lap 155: Green flag pit stops compete, #11 Kanaan leads #9 Dixon by .2714 of a second.Lap 160: #11 Kanaan leads #9 Dixon by .2756 of a second.Lap 165: #11 Kanaan leads #9 Dixon by .1762 of a second.Lap 170: #11 Kanaan leads #9 Dixon by 1.0385 seconds.Lap 175: #11 Kanaan leads #9 Dixon by 2.3996 seconds.***SIMONA DE SILVESTRO (No. 78 Nuclear Clean Air Energy Lotus HVM Racing Lotus): "It was a frustrating season, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. We worked really hard to get the car ready and hoped that we would be competitive. I feel bad for the team. They worked crazy hours replacing two engines this weekend and it would have been nice to have been able to finish the season on a high note. We've learned a lot this season and have to take that into what we expect to be a much better year next year."***Lap 180: #11 Kanaan leads #9 Dixon by 2.0351 seconds.Lap 181: YELLOW. #2 Briscoe makes contact with the SAFER Barrier in Turn 4. Car continues on to pit lane. Leader under caution are: #11 Kanaan, #9 Dixon, #15 Sato, #20 Carpenter and #10 Franchitti.***JUSTIN WILSON (No. 18 Sonny's BBQ Honda): "It was a disappointing end to the day. The Sonny's Bar-B-Q Honda was pretty good out there. I'm not sure if we'd have been in contention to win it, but we were definitely moving forward every stint and I was really pleased with the progress we were making. It's so frustrating to be taken out of the race like that. There was a big stack-up in front of me and I just got rammed from behind. Unfortunately that damaged the gearbox so that we couldn't get a gear and the clutch wouldn't work either, so that was the end of our race."***Lap 184: Leaders on pit road for four tires and fuel. #9 Dixon wins the race off of pit road and assumes the lead of the race.Lap 189: GREEN. #9 Dixon leads the field into Turn 1.

Lap 195: #20 Carpenter makes move for the lead on the backstrtech #9 Dixon leads at the line by .0432 of a second.Lap 200: #20 Carpenter leads #9 Dixon by .2495 of a second.Lap 204: #98 Tagliani passes #20 Carpenter for the lead in Turn 1.

Lap 205: #98 Tagliani leads #20 Carpenter by .4072 of a second.Lap 210: #98 Tagliani leads #20 Carpenter by .3444 of a second.Lap 215: #98 Tagliani leads #20 Carpenter by .3970 of a second.Lap 218: #20 Carpenter takes lead in Turn 2, then runs high and makes light contact with the wall.Lap 219: #98 Tagliani takes lead from #20 Carpenter.

Lap 221: #98 Tagliani leads #15 Sato by 1.4803 seconds.Lap 223: #15 Sato, #20 Carpenter and #38 Rahal on pit lane for four tires and fuel.Lap 224: #98 Tagliani on pit road for four tires and fuel. New leader is #10 Franchitti. #28 Hunter-Reay on pit lane for four tires and fuel.Lap 225: Leaders #10 Franchitti and #9 Dixon on pit lane for four tires and fuel. Leader is #98 Tagliani.Lap 228: #15 Sato makes pass for the lead in Turn 2.Lap 230: YELLOW. #98 Tagliani slows on course in Turn 4 with a mechanical issue. Car continues onto point lead. Leader is #20 Carpenter, #15 Sato and #10 Franchitti.Lap 235: GREEN. #20 Carpenter leads the field in Turn 1.Lap 237: #10 Franchitti takes the lead in Turn 2.Lap 240: #10 Franchitti leads #20 Carpenter by .5676 of a second.Lap 241: YELLOW. #11 Kanaan spins and makes contact in Turn 1. Leaders under caution are: #10 Franchitti, #20 Carpenter, #28 Hunter-Reay, #15 Sato and #26 Andretti.Lap 242: RED FLAG has been displayed.***Engine have been re-fired after a delay of 4 minute, 56 second. Green flag will be displayed second time by the flag stand.Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, INDYCAR Medical Director, Tony Kanaan has been checked and released from the infield care center. He is cleared to drive.TONY KANAAN (No. 11 GEICO/Mouser Electronics KV Racing Technology Chevrolet): "I was trying to go for it. I had nothing to lose. I was trying to win the Oval championship. I got caught in the middle of traffic and just lost it. It's a shame. We had a strong car when I was in front. It is what it is. Let's move on and get ready for next year."***Lap 244: GREEN. #10 Franchitti leads the field into Turn 1. #20 Carpenter makes bid for the lead in Turn 1, but can't pull off the pass.Lap 247: #10 Franchitti leads #20 Carpenter by .4967 of a second.Lap 249: WHITE: #10 Franchitti leads #20 Carpenter. Carpenter makes a bid for the lead in Turn 1. YELLOW. #15 Sato spins and makes contact in Turn 2. Leader under caution is #20 Carpenter, who will win the MAVTV 500. MAVTV 500 POST-RACE NOTES: This is Ed Carpenter's first win in 2012 and his second career Indy car win. He won at Kentucky in 2012. This is Ed Carpenter Racing's first win in the IZOD IndyCar Series team. Its previous best finish was 8th at Milwaukee and Iowa. Dario Franchitti finished second, his fifth top-five finish of the season. It is his 29th second-place finish in Indy car racing, which ties him for eighth with Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon.for It is the 88th podium finish in Indy car racing, tying him for fifth all-time with Al Unser Jr. and Bobby Rahal. Scott Dixon finished third, his eighth top-five finish of the season. Ryan Hunter-Reay finished fourth to clinch his first IZOD IndyCar Series title by three points over Will Power. Helio Castroneves finished fifth, his fifth top-five in 2012.