SONOMA, Calif. — Dario Franchitti hoisted a celebratory glass of red wine to his lips in a long-awaited moment for the IndyCar driver at Infineon Raceway.
Such is tradition for the winner in a race set in the heart of Sonoma County’s wine country. Franchitti finally won on a challenging course where he’s been so close before, leading from start to finish to capture his first Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma on Sunday in the final road course race of the year.
And the Scotman’s victory sent the IndyCar points race into a sprint for the finish.
Franchitti took the pole and led all 75 laps, topping runner-up and new points leader Ryan Briscoe on the way to his fourth victory of the year. Franchitti and Briscoe avoided a multiple-car crash early on Lap 1 on the tough 12-turn, 2.303-mile road course. Rookie Mike Conway finished third.
Scott Dixon, the points leader coming in and Franchitti’s teammate with Target Chip Ganassi Racing, finished a disappointing 13th after stalling in the wreck. He fell into third place in the points race at 477.
Franchitti, who moved into second in points at 493 and four behind Briscoe, became the first flag-to-flag winner in an IndyCar race since Dixon did so in 2003 for 206 laps in a rain-shortened event at Richmond.
All the top drivers know the 2009 title will come down to the wire with three races to go. The four points separating Briscoe and Franchitti ties the closest margin in IRL history with three weeks remaining. The race also was that close in 2002.
This marked the 13th time in 14 races the points leader has changed.
Tasca comes out on top
MOHNTON, Pa. — Bob Tasca raced to his second funny car title of the season, beating Mike Neff with a pass of 4.23 seconds at the NHRA Toyo Tires Nationals.
Larry Dixon (top fuel), Jeg Coughlin (pro stock) and Eddie Krawiec (pro stock motorcycle) won their categories.
Barrichello ends drought
VALENCIA, Spain — Brawn GP’s Rubens Barrichello won the European Grand Prix to claim his first Formula One victory in five years.
Lewis Hamilton finished second ahead of Kimi Raikkonen after having started the street race from the pole.
The Associated Press
