Streaking Franchitti source: indycar.com / Dave Lewandowski A string of five consecutive top-five finishes, including a victory in the 91st Indianapolis 500, has enabled Dario Franchitti to grab the points lead for the first time in his IndyCar Series career. Will it be difficult to maintain? Of course, as only six of 17 events are in the rear view mirror and the next events are challenging mix of short ovals, a speedway and a road course. First up is the Bombardier Learjet 550k on June 9. Target Chip Ganassi teammates Dan Wheldon (three points) and Scott Dixon (five) could swing to the top again with a good showing on the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway oval this week. Franchitti's Andretti Green Racing teammate, Tony Kanaan, is only 20 points back. Franchitti, who was a guest on "The Late Show with David Letterman" on June 4, understands the tenuous position and just hopes he doesn't have to follow in the path of another Indy 500 winner. After Franchitti finished with the 500-Mile Race day media blitz, he bundled the firesuit, shoes and gloves (no word on the Nomex underwear) in a bag with the intent of adding it to his growing collection. "I might get it dry cleaned, but I didn't spill milk on it so it doesn't smell too bad," said Franchitti, driver of the No. 27 Canadian Club Dallara/Honda/Firestone. "Hopefully, it doesn't get used again. "(Team manager) Kyle Moyer told me when (Jacques) Villeneuve won the '500' (1995) he did the same thing. But then they were running for the championship at Laguna Seca and they brought it all back out for that one race and they won the championship. So you never know." Franchitti, a historian of the sport and collector of sorts, has the perfect place for the mementos. "It will go in the garage in my new house," he said of the wee 1745 dwelling in Scotland that is nearly refurbished. "Everything from race wins; I like to keep all that stuff. I went to Mario Andretti's house a long time ago and saw all the stuff he collected through his career and I just thought that would be cool. "I've kept almost everything - boots, gloves, you name it. I have a nice helmet collection now from guys I've raced against and swapped helmets with." But if needed in the finale at Chicagoland Speedway in three months, the suit will be called upon for luck.
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