HOUSTON -- Not everything was bigger in Texas on a hot and humid weekend in which a pair of small IndyCar teams claimed the commemorative cowboy boots from the Grand Prix of Houston. Sam Schmidts drivers went 1-2 on Sunday for the first time in team history as Simon Pagenaud grabbed the win and led rookie teammate Mikhail Aleshin to the checkered flag. Pagenaud used the win, his second of the season, to climb back into the championship race. He came to Houston trailing Will Power by 91 points, and cut it to 59 after the two races. "Its fantastic for the race team and the entire organization," said Pagenaud, who admitted after the race to feeling "a little faint" from temperatures that soared into the 90s. "The whole team has elevated to top team level." Aleshin, the first Russian to compete in IndyCar, was a career-best second for his first podium and said a tire problem nearly prevented him from making it to the finish. "Its definitely an amazing day for the team," he said. "We are one of the fastest cars on the track and I think we did an amazing job today. The whole team did an amazing job." Third went to rookie Jack Hawksworth, his first career podium. It capped a breakthrough weekend for the British driver, who finished a career-best sixth Saturday. "Its been rough this year, weve been fast sometimes and just not quite made it happen," said Hawksworth. "Weve not quite put it together and today we did." A day earlier, Dale Coyne Racing scored its first win of the year with rookie Carlos Huertas. The rookie led a Colombian sweep of the rain-soaked podium alongside countrymen Juan Pablo Montoya and rookie Carlos Munoz. It was a race Pagenaud thought he should have won. He spent the previous week training in California for the heat and humidity, and won the pole for the first race of the doubleheader. His race was ruined, though, first by a spin and then when he was collected in Scott Dixons crash. He finished 16th in the first race. "I was so disappointed Saturday because we had such a fast car this weekend," he said. Power, the points leader, rallied from another poor qualifying effort to put himself in position for a third-place finish. But he failed to make it to the finish line when a part broke on his car two laps from the finish. Pagenaud, Aleshin and Power had peeled away from the pack, leaving Hawksworth behind for a spirited battle to hold on for fourth-place. Then Power went off course and fell to 11th. Still, he entered the weekend with a 39 point lead in the standings and that was unchanged. Hoping to close ground on Power this weekend was Team Penske teammate Helio Castroneves, who was ninth Saturday but started from the pole on Sunday looking for a win. Instead, he was chasing Pagenaud from second for the lead early in the race when he drove into Sebastien Bourdais. Castroneves had been setting up his pass of Pagenaud and apparently didnt see Bourdais when he suddenly tried to cut into the same lane as Bourdais. Castroneves wound up 21st. "I was attacking and trying to pass Pagenaud, and I had no idea (Bourdais) was there," Castroneves said. "When I am attacking, I cant have my eyes on the back. Its absolutely ridiculous why the guy had to put the car over there. Its the rules of traffic, when a guy hits a guy in the back, its his fault. I am upset, yes, because we had a great car and its just a shame to have drivers like that who do not use common sense." The contact broke Bourdais front wing while he was running third, caused him to fall through the field, but he rallied to finish fifth, behind Charlie Kimball, despite the damage. It marked consecutive top-five finishes for the first time this season for Bourdais. "He changed lanes and we made pretty heavy contact," Bourdais said of Castroneves move. "That busted my front wing pretty good. After that it was a tough fight. I had to be really creative to compensate for the balance of the car." Huertas, winner Saturday, and Munoz, who finished third on Saturday, both failed to finish on Sunday and were the first two cars out. It was a topsy-turvy weekend like that in which Munoz was the only driver from the big three teams -- Andretti Autosport, Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske -- to earn a podium. Jordan Shoes Australia Online . -- Pelicans coach Monty Williams does not expect guard Eric Gordon to play in any of New Orleans final five games this season. Cheap Jordan Shoes Australia . Top-seeded Djokovic, who is making only his second appearance this year after reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, was a 6-3, 6-3 winner over 54th-ranked Istomin of Uzbekistan. "It wasnt as easy as the scoreline indicates," said Djokovic, who has won in Dubai on four occasions. http://www.australiaairjordancheap.com/ .com) - NFL owners have unanimously approved the sale of the Buffalo Bills. Wholesale Jordan Shoes . New York (16-9-8) took over first place in the Eastern Conference and has the best record in the league with one game remaining. Houstons five-game unbeaten streak was snapped, and the Dynamo (13-11-9) are sixth in the East with one game remaining. Wholesale Authentic Jordans .com) - The Carolina Hurricanes placed defenseman John-Michael Liles on injured reserve Tuesday.TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on Anthony Bennetts big game, the skills of Jeff Teague, the performance of Nick Calathes, the energy of Joakim Noah and the compete level of Amir Johnson. 1. Anthony Bennett (Cavs): Congrats! Finally. Its been a very frustrating and disappointing rookie campaign for the young Canadian out of UNLV. The Cavs have won three in a row after an embarrassing loss at home to the undermanned Lakers and firing their GM Chris Grant. A wake up call? Maybe. For Bennett, its got to feel good and hopefully the fact that hes rounding back into shape will help his confidence and he relaxes and plays his game. Lots of pressure being the #1 overall pick in the draft to say the least. 2. Jeff Teague (Hawks): For the Raptors to win Wednesday, they have to control this guy at the point of attack. Hes terrific at getting into the lane and outplayed Kyle Lowry in their first meeting back in early November. Hes had a nice season at 15.7ppg and 7.3 apg. Lightning quick and he changes speeds really well. Gets into the lane almost at will. His penetration and ball-hawking skills defensively will be factors to watch. 3. Nick Calathes (Grizzlies): Awesome job filling in at the point guard spot vs. the Wizards Tuesday night with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Not a bad performance at all. Loved how he played with great poise at the end of the game vs. John Wall and concentrated on getting his team organized in their half-court offence and getting the ball to their two bigs and playing the power game. He really impressed me with his command of the game plan. Nice pick for them. 4. Joakim Noah (Bulls): Fabulous game Tuesday night vs. the Hawks. Watched the game and was blown way by the energy he had and the impact he had on the game. Posted a triple-double with 19 points, 16 boards and 11 assists. He competes at the top of the llist for players in the NBA; not many that play harder in the entire league.dddddddddddd A winner. With the Raptors currently (big game Wednesday vs. Hawks) in the third seed right now in the East with the Bulls, Hawks and Wizards occupying the 3-6 range of the East, the team I fear the most for a first round matchup for the Raptors is the Bulls. In spite of Derrick Rose being out and Luol Deng being traded, this team has what it takes to win in the playoffs and grind the game to a screeching halt and make you play ugly. For a young Raptors team in their first playoff series, this would be a matchup Id prefer they avoid. I know the Raptors have beaten them two of the first three games theyve played this year (they play again on next Wednesday in Toronto, coming off a back-to-back with Washington) but just ask last years Nets if you want to deal with the Bulls in the playoffs. Led by Noah, this club gets after you at a level in the playoffs that takes some getting used to. 5. Amir Johnson (Raptors): One of my all-time favorite Raptors. Not sure if hell play vs. the Hawks Wednesday but hes always been a gamer and wonderful competitor. The All-Star Break couldnt come at a better time for him than now. He needs the break to heal his injuries and fatigued body. He gives it his all for you and I respect that. I think hed be the first to tell you that he needs to play better and with more consistency down the stretch for the Raptors to be Atlantic Division champs and to also secure the third seed. If you watch the Raptors enough, its pretty obvious that when Johnson and Terrence Ross are going good and compliment Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Jonas and the bench, this team can play with anyone in the league. The night in and night out high level performance of Johnson and Ross, in my eyes, is the key to this team making a run here down the stretch. Consistency needed. ' ' '