Points leader Franchitti not quite ready to claim title: Don’t tell Dario Franchitti that the IndyCar Series points leader after nine races has failed to win the championship only twice. That could be construed as a curse.
And don’t remind him that four of the eight remaining events are on the road/street courses he favors. That would label him a favorite, though he hasn’t won an IndyCar Series road/street event.
No, Franchitti doesn’t wish to make an appointment for a crown fitting.
“You know, it’s still too early to be thinking championship, ” he said. “I mean, the championship is always in the back of your mind, but I think the best way to achieve success there is just to take it one race at a time, and just do the utmost each week to win each race. And if you can’t win it, try to finish second and get the maximum each weekend.
But with a 65-point lead over Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon heading into Watkins Glen International this weekend, there will be plenty of people watching how he measures up the two months. Since winning the 91st Indianapolis 500 on May 27, the Scott has been riding the crest of his professional career (two victories, a second and a fourth place).
“Momentum is something we talk about but nobody knows what it is, ” Franchitti said after recording his third victory over the season June 30 at Richmond International Raceway. “It’s an intangible.
“I’ve just got to keep getting the maximum week in week out that I can. You take what you can get. And there’s only so much you can do because you’re going to be up front. If the car is not so good, you get the most you can out of it. Sometimes you can grab the car by the scruff of the neck and you get an extra place or two. ”
On the 0.75-mile Richmond oval, that wasn’t the case. He led a series-record 242 (of 250 laps) and wasn’t necessarily challenged, even on restarts. Six days earlier, teammate Marco Andretti was the protagonist the final 50 laps at the equally-cozy Iowa Speedway before Franchitti prevailed. In all, Franchitti has finished in the top five in eight races. He was seventh at the season opener after running over a chuck of debris that sliced a port hole in the floor board.
Getting the most from his Dallara/Honda/Firestone package has been Franchitti’s hallmark through his years with AGR. But, again, Franchitti isn’t secure in counting himself among those who have notched Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series titles in the same year.
“It seems the way the series is, it’s become more and more difficult, ” he said of the competition, especially on road courses.
So who will supply the X factor?
Dixon, who is the two-time defending champion at Watkins Glen, also has shown the consistency that drivers need to be in championship contention. If not for four runner-up finishes (two to Franchitti), the positions could be reversed. Teammate Dan Wheldon, who has led 201 more laps than anyone, has a pair of victories and three other top-five finishes. The 2005 series champion also could gain ground on both the road courses and ovals (he’s won at Chicagoland twice and has been the pole sitter at Nashville).
Franchitti’s AGR teammate, Tony Kanaan, also is a two-time winner this season and has won in past seasons at Nashville and Infineon. Reigning series champion Sam Hornish Jr. appeared to make a move with a victory at Texas last month, but finishes outside the top 10 in the past two short track races have dropped the Team Penske driver 102 points behind.
A LOOK AT THE TOP 10
Driver Points Behind Notable
Dario Franchitti 359—- With three wins, eight top-five finishes, he leads the points for the first time in his career
Scott Dixon 294 -65 Has four runner-up finishes among seven top-five finishes, but yet to score a victory.
Dan Wheldon 287 -72 Dominated early with two wins in the first four races. Has two thirds in last five races, but also three finishes of 11th or worse.
Tony Kanaan 287 -72 Has two wins, but pit road incident at Kansas and uncharacteristic mistake at Iowa cost Kanaan valuable points.
Sam Hornish Jr. 257 -102 Has run upfront all season and won at Texas, but has only led five laps outside of Texas.
Helio Castroneves 245 -114 Won at St. Petersburg and qualified in the top-10 for every race this year.
Scott Sharp 223 -136 Finished third at Iowa, and in top top-10 six times, including the last five races.
Danica Patrick 213 -146 Career-best third at Texas is highlight of first season with Andretti Green Racing.
Vitor Meira 207 -152 Season best fourth at opener in Miami. Was in position to win at Iowa when car sustained a mechanical failure.
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