Will Power edged NHRA’s Robert Hight in the voting by a panel of 21 broadcasters and journalists for the first quarter Driver of the Year Foundation award.

Power came from the ninth and 12th starting positions to win the past two IZOD IndyCar Series races – at Barber Motorsports Park and the streets of Long Beach – in moving to the top of the series championship standings.

“I think my guys feel very confident no matter where we start now that it's always possible,” Power said. “It is a great honor to be recognized by such an elite panel. This award is a testament to how hard the Verizon Team Penske crew has worked this year and we hope to keep it going for the rest of the season.”

New online game on the horizon: Ignite Game Technologies will develop an IZOD IndyCar Series game and release it on its online racing platform, Simraceway.

Simraceway gameThe game will include all teams and tracks in live, full-size re-creations of each season and authentic 2012 Dallara car physics affirmed by reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti. A launch date has not been announced.

“Securing the license for a series with the glamor and prestige of IndyCar represents a real coup for us and a clear sign of our intent for the Simraceway platform,” said Jonathan Haswell, CEO of Ignite, which is based in Southern California.

The company also has a permanent real-world racing facility -- the Simraceway Performance Driving Center, based at Infineon Raceway -- for research and development.

No. 11 car fined: IZOD IndyCar Series officials have penalized the No. 11 KV Racing Technology car for failing post-race technical inspection following the April 15 race on the streets of Long Beach, Calif.  The team did not comply with Rule 14.7.2 and has been fined an undisclosed amount.

Per the IZOD IndyCar Series rulebook: 14.7.2. The maximum capacity of the fuel cell shall be 18.5 U.S. gallons.

Dollar General returns to Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing: The No. 67 Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing car for the Indianapolis 500 will feature the familiar black and yellow Dollar General colors.

Driver Josef Newgarden should feel comfortable. His hometown of Hendersonville, Tenn., is a neighbor to Goodlettsville, where Dollar General’s headquarters are located.

Of note: Marco Andretti is featured in the 20th anniversary edition (May) of RACER magazine, comparing his era of racing with the era of his grandfather, Mario. … Five drivers will compete for the first time at Sao Paulo: Rubens Barrichello, Ed Carpenter, Katherine Legge, Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud. … Will Power, James Hinchcliffe and Simon Pagenaud have finished in the top 10 in all three events this season. … Helio Castroneves needs three earned poles to reach 40 in his Indy car career. … In the past 14 races, Ryan Hunter-Reay has finished in the top 10 11 times.