Motorsport: Castroneves wins in Japan

Pole-sitter Helio Castroneves of Brazil won the Indy Japan 300 yesterday to ensure the IndyCar series championship will come down to the final race of the year.

Penske driver Castroneves took the lead for good on the 118th lap and held on for the final 82 laps to earn his third win this season. Defending series champion Dario Franchitti of Scotland was second, followed by series points leader Will Power of Australia.

The result means Franchitti trails Power by just 12 points heading into the final race of the season on October 2 at Homestead-Miami.

A sixth-place finish means New Zealander Scott Dixon is out of the title race.