ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 24 (UPI) -- James Hinchcliffe celebrated the start of the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series with his first career victory Sunday, taking the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Andretti Autosport's Hinchcliffe grabbed the advantage with 25 laps remaining on the 1.8-mile St. Petersburg street circuit and held off defending champ Helio Castroneves down the stretch for his maiden IndyCar victory.
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It came in the 32nd career start for the Canadian driver, who became the first from his country to win an IndyCar race since 2007.
Castroneves settled for second while Hinchcliffe teammate Marco Andretti claimed third.
Tony Kanaan and Scott Dixon rounded out the Top 5.
