IRL: Dario Franchitti from start to finish

Team Target Ganassi’s Dario Franchitti led the IndyCar Infineon race from flag to flag despite the constant pressure exerted on him by the both Penske drivers.

With that victory, Franchitti is now back into the thick of the title fight as his teammate Scott Dixon finished only 14th.

Mike Conway (Dreyer & Reinbold) earned his firs career podium by finishing third right behind Ryan Briscoe (Penske). Moraes (KV) and Hideki Mutoh (Andretti Green) completed the top 5 finishers.

Unfortunately for Scott Dixon, he was involved in the opening lap collision that ended EJ Viso's race, and forced Marco Andretti (AGR), Conway, Tony Kanaan (AGR), Dixon, Franck Montagny (AGR), Danica Patrick (AGR) and Graham Rahal (NHLR) to pit for repairs.

After a lengthy yellow to tidy up debris from this incident, Franchitti and Briscoe made an early break from the field soon followed by Helio Castroneves who looked great until some time later when he tangled with the yet-to-stop Kanaan.

Castroneves’ Dallara was briefly airborne and landed heavily, and it was little surprise to see the Brazilian start tumbling down the order afterwards until his damaged suspension gave way on lap 66.

Next stop will be Chicagoland on August the 29th.

IRL Sonoma race - Results
1.D. Franchitti Ganassi 75 laps
2.R. Briscoe Penske 75
3.M. Conway Dreyer & Reinbold 75
4.M. Moraes KV Racing 75
5.H. Mutoh AGR 75
6.O.Servia NHLR 75
Etc…

IndyCar standings – After Sonoma
1. Ryan Briscoe 496 points
2. Dario Franchitti 493
3. Scott Dixon 477
4. Helio Castroneves 371
5. Danica Patrick 335