Reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Will Power says that the success of Team Penske in the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg -- Juan Pablo Montoya winning and the three other drivers finishing in the top five – comes from the top.

“It’s how (team owner) Roger (Penske) runs his businesses and his race teams," said Power, who led a field-high 75 of 110 laps and finished .9930 of a second behind Montoya. "It's a pleasure to drive for Roger because, as a driver, you are given the best opportunity to win week in and week out and you can't ask for any more than that."

Helio Castroneves placed fourth and Simon Pagenaud finished fifth. Team Penske NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski also have won early this season.

"When I look at the IndyCar side, we have four really strong drivers," Power said. "The engineering group and the work behind that is exceptional. As drivers, we keep finding things to get faster.”

Power was in Dallas on March 31 to promote the Firestone 600 on June 6 at Texas Motor Speedway. GET TICKETS, INFORMATION

Bourdais starts with best finish

Sebastien Bourdais’ sixth place in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was his best finish in an Indy car season opener since 2006, when he won Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on his way to the Champ Car title.

It also was his best finish in five starts in St. Petersburg, where he resides.

The ninth-place finish by Luca Filippi was his best in nine Verizon IndyCar Series starts.

Of note

Travelers passing through Long Beach International Airport will see a Verizon IndyCar Series car in the terminal to promote the 41st Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 19. GET TICKETS, INFORMATION … HoneyBaked of Bloomington, Ind., will be an associate sponsor of the KVSH/Jonathan Byrd’s Racing entry in the Indianapolis 500 driven by Bryan Clauson.