Darren Manning used sharp driving and his boss A.J. Foyt used clever strategy to propel them to a superb second-place. (LAT photo)

The race began cleanly but ended otherwise. Aside from Wheldon’s opening-lap problem and Castroneves’ issues with his paddle shift on the sixth lap, the first 40 laps were uneventful, with Briscoe and Vitor Meira exchanging the lead. On the 40th lap, though, Meira was run off course by E.J. Viso, sending the No. 4 Panther Racing Dallara-Honda into the tires and leaving Meira fuming.

“The IRL should do something about it,” Meira said. “He just took us out. He’s a guy who’s had a problem with every driver out there. It’s a shame.”

On the ensuing round of pit stops two laps later, Danica Patrick lost control in the pits and slammed into the pit wall dangerously close to Dixon’s crew moments after Dixon had won the race off pit road and put himself in second place. Patrick apologized for the incident, got a new nose wing assembly and eventually finished 14th.

“I hit a tire leaving the pit and then locked the car up,” Patrick said. “Fortunately I didn't make any contact with anyone.”

During the same round of stops, Manning chose to stay on track and assume the lead, having pitted just four laps before. The decision, coupled with a rash of caution flags over the final 18 laps, proved to be a wise one.

“I was quick enough to hold my own,” Manning said. “It’s just a testament to the team.”

On the restart with 15 laps remaining, Manning got a strong jump on Dixon, but Enrique Bernoldi crashed behind them, forcing another caution period. Bernoldi was treated at the infield care center for back pain, but X-rays were negative. He’ll be re-evaluated later this week.

As the field idled around the track behind the pace car, Dixon suddenly spun out while trying to warm his front tires. While swerving back and forth heading into Turn 10, Dixon stepped on the throttle and spun.

“I was a complete idiot,” Dixon said after the race. “My guys lost very valuable points today. I still can’t believe I did it.”

The mistake ended a strong run by Briscoe, who started from the pole and appeared to be in position for a podium finish. “I can imagine how Scott’s feeling right now,” Briscoe said. “I guess all of us mess up now and again. I just wish he would have messed up and not gotten me involved.”

Both cars were repaired; Dixon eventually finished 11th, Briscoe 12th. On the next restart on the 51st lap, Hunter-Reay passed Manning heading into Turn 1. Moments later, Jaime Camara crashed, bringing out the sixth caution flag of the race.

On the restart, Hunter-Reay pulled away to a large lead and held it to the checkered flag for his first IndyCar Series and a triumphant reprieve to a promising career that, at this time last year, appeared to have stalled in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

“These things happen for a reason,” he said. “I knew I had to stay strong and this is teaching me a lesson. Never be complacent. Always be pushing, as an athlete and a businessman. You’ve always got to be working it as hard as you can.”

Rice also scored a solid finish, bringing the No. 15 Dreyer & Reinbold Honda/Dallara home fourth for his best finish of the year.

“The last two races we've had stuff falling off the car and I've screwed up,” Rice said. “We‘re just trying to wipe that stuff out, get back in the points and have a solid finish to the season.”

Marco Andretti finished fifth, Bruno Junqueira sixth and Mario Moraes seventh. Graham Rahal, Hideki Mutoh and E.J. Viso rounded out the top 10.

The IndyCar Series season resumes Saturday night at Nashville Superspeedway.

CAMPING WORLD INDY GRAND PRIX AT THE GLEN RESULTS