Dario Franchitti has run the numbers and dissected the scenarios for what it will take to earn an IZOD IndyCar Series record-tying third championship, and in this situation the saying “every point counts” is certainly appropriate.
Franchitti bumped Will Power, his lone title contender in the 200-lap Cafes do Brasil Indy 300 under the lights Oct. 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway from the provisional pole, and earned his second PEAK Performance Pole Award of the season with a two-lap average of 213.187 mph. That gave the Scot one of the three available bonus points on the weekend to close to 11 points of Power.
It’s the fifth consecutive year that the championship will be decided in the final race of the season. IndyCar.com
“It felt like a good lap, and I looked down and saw 213 [m.p.h.], and I thought, ‘Oh, nice. Let’s see if we can not screw up the second lap,’ so the speed was in the Target car.”
The 37-year-old Franchitti will clinch his series-tying third title if he leads the most laps and wins the 300-mile race at Homestead, regardless of where Power finishes. He also will wrap up the title if he wins and Power finishes third or lower. First place is worth 50 points, compared to 40 for second and 35 for third.
“It would be nice to lead the whole race, but we’ll see what happens,” Franchitti added. “There are so many unknowns. It’s just impossible to predict those things.”
Dixon qualified second with a lap average of 212.908 m.p.h. to give Ganassi the front row at Homestead for the second year in a row.
“Obviously, we’ve reached our goal in qualifying to get both cars on the front row,” Dixon said. “Dario getting that extra point is going to make things a little more interesting. All and all, it was a good day, but we still have a long ways ahead of us for the race tomorrow.” MiamiHerald.com
Franchitti is looking to become the first driver to post back-to-back championships since Sam Hornish Jr. in 2001 and 2002. The 37-year-old Franchitti came into last year’s season finale third in points but gambled on pit strategy to win his second career title.
He’ll be joined on Row 2 by Team Penske teammate Ryan Briscoe (212.158). National Guard Panther Racing’s Dan Wheldon (211.933) and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s Justin Wilson (211.630; career best on an oval) will share Row 3. Panther/Vision Racing’s Ed Carpenter (211.444) and Andretti Autosport’s Tony Kanaan (211.392) will be on Row 4.
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IndyCar Series: Brasil Indy 300 at Homestead Miami Speedway - Race Line-Up
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