Penske takes first one-two since 1994

The last time CART's most famous team took such a result was at Nazareth in 1994, when in fact the team scored a one-two-three with Paul Tracy winning followed by Al Unser Jr and then Emerson Fittipaldi.

Castroneves dominated the race, passing team-mate de Ferran during the first pit stop sequence and never looking back, leading by 20s before late race yellows allowed the field to close up.

As he did when he took his first career win in Detroit two months ago, the young Brazilian then climbed the spectator fence to wave to the crowd before sobbing joyfully in victory lane.

"I have to thank the team, they gave me a fantastic car and did a fantastic job," he gushed. "Oh man - what a day!"

De Ferran was almost as happy to be part of Penske's spectacular result, despite being outpaced by his team-mate in the race.

"Penske has done a fantastic job today," he said. "It's nice to get that one-two result because we've both been racing very, very strongly all year and been knocking on the door of a one-two. We thought it was going to be in Portland but it didn't happen, but today is a great day for the whole team."

Castroneves was suffering badly from a virus early in the weekend, having to leave the post-qualifying press session early on Friday to get medical attention. Unsurprisingly given that he had been on an intravenous drip just two days earlier, the Brazilian admitted that he had not been feeling in top condition in the race either

"In the beginning it was very tough," he said. "Gil was pushing very hard and I was trying to push him very hard too. Then once I was in the lead I felt better but when the yellows came out at the end I was thinking 'no, come on, I've got to get back into my rhythm' so I can finish the race and go home and look after myself so I'm better before the next race."

Unsurprisingly, the result has boosted Penske's title hopes. De Ferran is now just 19 points behind series leader Michael Andretti in second place, while Castroneves has moved up to eighth, 48 points behind Andretti with seven races to go.