Ryan Briscoe would have welcomed—begged and prayed for actually—a yellow flag.
But the first caution-free race in IndyCar Series history was the bane of the Team Penske driver and played into the late-race strategy of Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Dario Franchitti, who claimed his second series championship by accomplishing the only thing he needed to do—win the race.
Briscoe, the race leader who led in points (614-610 over Scott Dixon) with seven laps left in the 200-lap race on the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway, had to pit for a splash of ethanol because of the blistering pace of the Firestone Indy 300 (201.420 mph average; second-fastest in series history).
Franchitti, who was 24.9643 seconds back as Briscoe’s No. 6 Team Penske car hit the pit lane, moved to the front as Briscoe hit the acceleration lane. Though Briscoe was more than a mile per hour quicker on the final two laps, Franchitti went on to win by 4.7888 seconds. Dixon, the 2008 series champion and Franchitti’s first-year teammate, finished third. The final points: Franchitti (616), Dixon (605), Briscoe (604).
So, on the 10th day of the 10th month, the No. 10 car won it all. It also was the 10th victory of the season for the team, split evenly between the drivers. In this fuel-mileage race, Franchitti hit all the right numbers.
“What a year for this Target team,” said Franchitti, who returned to the series after a partial 2008 season in stock cars. “It was so much fun to be a part of. I’ve been really lucky my whole career to have a great team. I can’t thank the team enough and I can’t thank Target enough.
“Scott and I raced each other the whole season and it just came down to this. I’m bloody delighted right now.” IndyCar
Ryan Briscoe departed in disbelief, having done everything within his power in the Firestone Indy 300. He led the most laps (103) and finished ahead of Scott Dixon, who entered the race with the points lead. But it wasn’t enough.
Briscoe had to pit for fuel with six laps left, handing the lead to Franchitti, who won by 4.788 seconds. It was classic tortoise versus the hare, but it wasn’t by accident.
Franchitti and Dixon are teammates at Ganassi Racing, so the Indianapolis-based organization split their strategies. As Dixon battled Briscoe for the two bonus points that go to the driver leading the most laps, Franchitti paced himself. It was a trick Dixon often employs.
Slow and steady won.
“They did everything right and we did everything right; we just had different strategies going on,” Franchitti said. “I guess we outfoxed them, and we got some luck, too.” Indianapolis Star
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