Hunter-Reay Wins 2012 IndyCar Championship

Robert Laberge/Getty Images(FONTANA, Calif.) -- Ryan Hunter-Reay captured the 2012 IndyCar championship Saturday night after finishing fourth in the MATV TV 500.

“I just drove 500 miles for my life,” Hunter-Reay said. “ I can't believe we're IndyCar champions. I can't even believe this.”

Will Power came into the race with a 17 point lead on Hunter-Reay, but he was unable to hold on after crashing into the outside wall on lap 55, which took him out of the race.

“At the end of the day, Hunter-Reay is definitely a deserving champion,” Power said. “A real fighter. Probably as far as all around drivers go, he's probably the best in the series because he wins in each discipline”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio