Tough day for Canadian racers in Honda Indy Toronto

American driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay won his third consecutive IZOD IndyCar race at the Honda Indy Toronto on Sunday.

While the Toronto fans were treated to an exciting race, especially in its latter stages, they're hopes of seeing a Canadian driver on the podium were dashed early on.

Alex Tagliani, who qualified sixth, and James Hinchcliffe, who qualified ninth, were both penalized ten grid positions at the start, because they had to make unauthorized engine changes after the last race.

As a result, they started in 16th and 19th places, respectively, in the 25-car field. While Hinchcliffe started picking up places early on, Tagliani remained mired deep in the field.

But, to the audible dismay of the crowd, Hinchcliffe succumbed to engine woes before he got far up the field.

The Brian Herta Autosports team brought Tagliani in for an early first pit stop, setting him up to improve track position in the event of a yellow flag before the front-runners pitted.

But when the inevitable yellow flew, Tag had to pit as well to replace a damaged wing.

He was in good company, as early front-runners Dario Franchiti and Will Power found themselves deep in the field as well, following their pit stops.

By the time the race progressed to its final stages, all of the top six qualifiers had fallen back or fallen out, leaving seventh-place qualifier, Ryan Hunter-Reay, in the lead, which he held to the end. It was the American driver's third win in the last three races.

Hunter-Reay didn't go unchallenged, however. As is often the case in Toronto, a late-race caution flag bunched up the field, eliminating the substantial lead he had built up.

That scenario set the stage for another series of crashes on the restart that eliminated several more cars, allowing Hunter-Reay to take the checker under another yellow.

He was followed home by Charlie Kimball, Mike Conway, Tony Kanaan and Orila Servia.

Hunter Reay now leads the IndyCar points chmpionship going into the Honda Indy Edmonton on July 22.