Wheldon secures maiden win

Wheldon leads the championship in his second full season

England's Dan Wheldon produced a dominant display in Japan to register his first Indy Racing League victory.

The Northamptonshire driver, who started on pole, pipped Andretti Green team-mate Tony Kanaan to the chequered flag at Motegi.

"I think it's an absolutely awesome day to win my first race," said Wheldon, who leads the championship in his second full season.

"It's tough when you've got Tony Kanaan pressing hard, but it worked out well."

Darren Manning claimed fourth, his best finish so far in his first season with Target Chip Ganassi Racing.

Manning led briefly before slipping back and he was frustrated to miss out on the chance of a debut win.

"We had such a good car today," he said.

"I am kicking myself for some of the mistakes that cost us some valuable positions.

"I ran wide a few times coming out of turn four and I overshot my box on that last pit stop by quite a bit, and that certainly cost me the chance to come out with the leaders."

Scotsman Dario Franchitti, Wheldon's team-mate, finished seventh while Londoner Mark Taylor crashed out for the second time in three races.