Chip Gannassi's Dario Franchitti Wins Indianapolis 500
Scottish driver Dario Franchitti won his second Indianapolis 500 yesterday, crossing the finish line under caution.
The Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver clinched the title by moving ahead of others in the late stages of the race which featured a late-lap crash involving Mike Conway.
With this win, Franchitti claimed his second Brickyard title. He had won the first title in 2007. "This tastes just as good the second time. Up until 10 laps to go it was pretty relaxed and then all hell broke loose with fuel saving. It feels great," said Franchitti.
Dan Wheldon finished second, followed by Marco Andretti. British racer Conway crashed in the last few laps and got injured in leg. Franchitti was brilliant throughout the race as he led in 155 of the 200 laps. After Conway's crash, caution was brought in and it allowed Franchitti to pass the finish line with 13 ounces (.35 litres) of fuel in his tank.
"Still running," Franchitti told his crew over the radio as he took the checkered flag. With this win, Chip Gannassi became the first owner to win the Indy 500 and NASCAR's elite Daytona 500 race in the same season. Talking about the last lap, the Scottish racer said, "Just get to the finish, see if you can get to the finish."
Helio Castroneves, who started from pole, wasted the chance to win his fourth title after a blunder in the pits. Castroneves finished a disappointing ninth.
"Unfortunately, silly mistakes put us in the back. I'm very disappointed. I'm more disappointed with the mistake," Castroneves said. Danica Patrick stood sixth, while Brazil's Tony Kanaan came 11th after starting last in the 33-car field.
