Scott Dixon needs to only look at the second half of the 2007 IndyCar Series season to make him alternately smile and shudder as it relates to this year's championship race. He was 65 points arrears of leader Dario Franchitti exiting the Richmond race, but rattled off four victories in the final eight to outscore Franchitti 370-331 and set up a season-ending duel for the series title.
The momentum hasn't slowed. The driver of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing entry has eight top-five finishes in nine races, including three victories, and holds a 43-point advantage over Team Penske's Helio Castroneves at the halfway point of the season. Dixon's teammate, Dan Wheldon, is 52 points behind.
Dixon isn't comfortable with the cushion, especially with six of the final nine races on road/street courses. First up is the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen (July 6) on the 3.4-mile Watkins Glen International circuit.
Dixon's steady results netted the 2003 title when he was a freshman in the series, and similar results have bred confidence throughout the No. 9 car crew. Castroneves hasn't forfeited many points though he's looking for his first victory since April 2007 and his first IndyCar Series title. The No. 3 entry has finished in the top five in eight of the nine events, including runner-up four times.
Tony Kanaan is fourth in the title search (82 points back) and teammate Danica Patrick is fifth (131 behind). AGR driver Hideki Mutoh leads the Bombardier Learjet Rookie of the Year standings and is sixth overall. Marco Andretti, Ryan Briscoe, Oriol Servia and Ed Carpenter also are in the top 10.
Helio's consistency always makes him a threat. But they just can't seem to finish the deal for wins. Think Wheldon is the biggest contender and is capable of reeling off 3-4 wins in a row. Kanaan is just a tick off the pace. Danica is not a serious championship racer right now. Next year? Hmmmm...
Realistically, Danica is probably out of it at this point. If any of the other four go on a tear, they can win it. While Andretti may be off a bit, Kanaan is certainly capable of doing it. Castroneves and Wheldon are both right there under a blanket.
Its a good year. And over 25 cars on the track makes it fun to watch again. I just hope they can stay away from the crash fest they had this past weekend. Watch for Kanaan to get hot. Its his time.
I really don't understand why more people aren't into IndyCar. I mean, I grew up with Al Unser as well as Richard Petty. I guess there was a big gap in the 80's that killed IndyCar and it isn't back yet.
14 - Think that the original CART / USAC split hurt the most. Seems like that was the point where open-wheel authorities seemed to start discounting fans and sponsors followed in kind. They felt they were the show, not the racing.
Not sure if / when a strong fan base will return. It hasn't yet, despite the fact that last years racing with 18 cars was exciting & this years racing with 25 to 28 cars is exciting. Although I'd have to say that it seemed the racing was closer, with more passes for the lead and in the pack, LAST year.
They're slowly picking up new/larger sponsors, and will only continue to do so if the attendance/viewership shows significant growth. And it's not showing growth yet ...
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