Indianapolis ? Dale Jarrett went to the lead and never fell back in the final event of this year’s International Race of Champions series, and Kevin Harvick finished fifth Saturday to take the title.

Winston Cup ace Jarrett passed Ken Schrader on the first lap Saturday and beat Helio Castroneves of the IRL by .38 seconds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“I knew it was important to get my car out front and I fought Schrader as hard as I could there on that first lap, trying to get the lead,” Jarrett said. “I knew the car was going to tighten up later on, and if I could get out front, I’d have a better chance.”

Harvick, who gained a spot in the $1.2 million all-star series as last year’s NASCAR Busch Series champion, became the first rookie to win the IROC title since Ricky Rudd in 1992. Harvick earned $250,000 for the championship.

“It’s something I didn’t really expect, but it’s pretty awesome when you do it in front of the fans at Indianapolis,” Harvick said

Harvick finished with 54 points. Buddy Lazier and Jarrett had 49 apiece, although Lazier wound up in second in the series for a $125,000 payout.

Jarrett was given third place and $95,000 based on their average finishes for all four races.

Castroneves, who also passed Schrader on the opening lap, never relinquished second place in the 40-lap race that matched 11 drivers from different racing series in identically prepared stock cars. Schrader, who started from the pole in place of injured World of Outlaws driver Danny Lasoski, finished third.

Lazier, the Indy Racing League champion in 2000, was fourth. Two weeks ago, he led all 67 laps to win at Chicagoland Speedway.