Detroit, MI (My Sportsbook) - Rookie Justin Wilson picked up his first IndyCar Series victory Sunday by winning the Detroit Indy Grand Prix at The Raceway at Belle Isle. Helio Castroneves led a race-high 53 laps, but had to give up the lead to Wilson when he was penalized for blocking with less than 20 laps to go.

Wilson's first IndyCar victory came in his 15th start.

"It's been a difficult year, but it's great to finally get a win," Wilson said."

Wilson became the fifth first-time winner in the series this year, joining Graham Rahal (St. Petersburg), Danica Patrick (Motegi, Japan), Ryan Briscoe (Milwaukee) and Ryan Hunter-Reay (Watkins Glen). He is also the ninth different winner this season, tying a series record.

Castroneves, meanwhile, was frustrated by the penalty that ended up costing him a second-straight win and much-need points towards his championship bid.

"I do not have anything smart to say right now," Castroneves said. "At Chicago, we're going to go for it." He won last week at Sonoma, CA.

Castroneves' second-place finish compared to a fifth-place run for Scott Dixon allowed Castroneves to move within 30 points of Dixon, setting up a shootout in next Sunday's season-finale at the Chicagoland Speedway. Dixon needs to finish just eighth or better at Chicago to clinch the title, regardless of where Castroneves finishes.

"I thought that was probably the easiest race we could have won all year," Dixon said. "The car was fantastic. I really got to thank the team for that. As far as the race, you just can't do anything. You get guys that are two seconds off the pace on alternate strategies, and you can't pass them. It's just a tough day."

Dixon started on the pole and was ahead of the class in the early stages when his lead over Castroneves was 5.7 seconds. But Dixon pitted during a caution on Lap 19. Castroneves remained on the track and inherited the lead for the first time. Dixon fell back to 18th place.

Castroneves held a 10.7-second lead before he made his first pit stop on Lap 32. He remained the leader as he held a two-second advantage over Wilson, who moved up to second.

Dixon made his final pit stop on Lap 54 and came back out in seventh. Meanwhile, Castroneves pitted on Lap 59 and handed the lead over to Oriol Servia. Castroneves returned in second, but reclaimed the lead the following lap when Servia made his last stop.

Castroneves held a 12.5-second advantage over Wilson, while Dixon trailed by 18 seconds in fifth place on Lap 60. However, Castroneves saw his lead evaporate five laps later when the fourth and final caution came for an incident involving Dan Wheldon and Mario Moraes in turn seven.

Castroneves pulled away from Wilson on the restart on Lap 69, but Wilson caught him two laps later as he attempted to pass him. Castroneves did not immediately respond to the blocking penalty assessed by race officials, but finally complied on Lap 73 as Wilson became the new leader.

Wilson led the final 15 laps and crossed the finish line 4.4058 seconds ahead of Castroneves. The two-hour "timed-race" concluded three laps short of 90-lap scheduled distance.

Tony Kanaan, Servia and Dixon completed the top-five.