Tagliani Gets First Victory

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. —  Alex Tagliani turned a bad weekend into the best day of his career with a gamble that paid off with the checkered flag at the Grand Prix of Road America on Sunday.

Tagliani, who crashed in practice Friday and didn’t get to race in the first round of qualifying, passed Rodolfo Lavin four laps from the finish to secure his first career victory in 85 Champ Car races.

“This race is for all the guys right here,” Tagliani said, pointing to his crew celebrating 2-year-old Rocketsports Racing’s first trip to the winner’s circle. “I made them work very hard.”

Tagliani started in the 13th spot, which allowed him to chance an early green-flag pit stop with four other drivers, including Justin Wilson. The strategy was rewarded when a yellow flag on the 14th lap bunched up the field and the other 13 drivers needed to pit three more times on green instead of two.

“Maybe today I was lucky the way the yellow turned out in the race,” Tagliani said. “But many races this year we were unlucky.... It takes good strategy, a fast car and a little bit of luck to be able to win a race in this series, and I think today all the ingredients were there.”

Lavin’s second-place finish also was the best of his career.

Season points leader Sebastien Bourdais finished third.