Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Kentucky 300 - Carpenter Inches Out Franchitti Tweet-By-Tweet

It's Ed Carpenter in the Dollar General Sarah Fisher Racing Dallara by a nose and a Push-To-Pass on the Downy soap sponsored Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti (just 0.0098sec at the line, the closest finish at Kentucky and sixth closest in series history) who get extra points for leading the most laps. Image Credit: Paul Dalbey

Kentucky 300 - Carpenter Inches Out Franchitti Tweet-By-Tweet

Will Power took the championship lead over Dario Franchitti by 11 points ... now 12 with the Peak Pole award during qualifications ... after his runner-up finish two weeks ago in Motegi, Japan.

On ovals, Power and Franchitti trail Scott Dixon for the A.J. Foyt Trophy honoring the best driver on oval tracks for the ICS season. Motegi winner Dixon leads Franchitti 181-164 with Power an additional 19 points behind.

Dixon faces elimination from the overall championship this weekend, at 59 points behind Power. If he can't close to within 53, his title chances are officially over.

Power and Franchitti have been closer on ovals than it might appear on the surface, as Power looks to secure his first title. The Australian actually holds a qualifying edge, 7.67 to 7.83, from the six oval races this season.

Hoping for a good result this weekend are Helio Castroneves, the 2010 Kentucky winner, and Ed Carpenter, the 2010 Kentucky polesitter and twice defending runner-up finisher. While Carpenter's Sarah Fisher effort showed impressive pace in qualifying at both Indianapolis and Texas, it's been largely a struggle from there this season.
(ht: racer.com)

The following is a feel for the Kentucky 300 as it happened via entries limited to 140 characters as seen on the social communications web portal, Twitter (with a few added live blogging entries from The EDJE). Welcome to the Kentucky 300, Tweet-By-Tweet!


kvracingKV Racing Technology

Driver Introductions are underway, hope u have tuned into @versusindycar


tial99 Tia by indy44

They are really workin driver introductions @KySpeedway! We've got flames of fire, sparklers of fireworks & Van Halen "Right Now". #indycar


its_meatballCorey Ashenfelter

Anyone have the radio broadcast, safety team & race control scanner frequencies for todays race? #indycar#kyspeedway


seeuatthefrontKatie

Having fun introducing mom to the current #IndyCarfield a bit at a time. She likes the 2012 car, too :-D


NewmanHaasNewman Haas Racing

Being told we are being recognized on the @VersusIndyCar broadcast. Let us know if you hear it!


MoreFrontWingMore Front Wing

Not a particularly warm welcome for Danica. She'll get better next year.


tracksideonline TrackSide Online

Crowd abysmal. Nothing else to say, really.


Oriol Servia as he sit in his Telemundo Newman Haas Honda Dallara office getting ready to race. Image Credit: Newman Haas


NewmanHaasNewman Haas Racing

AWESOME! "@LewisFranck:@NewmanHaas right after Chickenfoot! Polaris Hardest Working Team award clip. Then showed Oriol."


asapsportsASAP Sports

KENTUCKY INDY 300 interviews bit.ly/oFK4I2w/ Scott Dixon Dario Franchitti Will Power Graham Rahal IZOD #INDYCAR


eddstrawF1Edd Straw

Good to see @DBattistinimaking his IndyCar debut. Covered some of his races when he won the UK Caterham Superlight Championship in 2003!


TheEDJEEdmund Jenks

An all CCWS alumni front row to start this OVAL race with Power and Rahal - The evolution of IRL to IndyCar - #indycar


Drivers, Start Your Engines!


shagersShane Rogers

Need to train the pit techs when 1 is not hot to say "1 cold", not "1 not". Not sounds a lot like hot. #indycar


IndyCarPRINDYCAR PR

Field is rolling for the first pace laps.


Formula1Paddock Formula 1 Paddock

IndyCar time!! quite a few brits in tonights race!


GREEN GREEN GREEN! – Lap 1 of 200


The field takes the Green Flag to start the Kentucky 300, the next to last race in the IZOD IndyCar Season. Image Credit: IndyCar_Aldia


NegativeVORPEric Hamme

Clean start. Surprised. Good job everybody. #indycar


estradawriting Christopher Estrada

Will Power leads the first lap. #IndyCar


Dan_BrunellDan Brunell

I interested in seeing how Race Control screws the #Indycarrace up today. They have to be running out of ideas by now.


Lap 10 of 200


f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Power has a slight margin over Rahal, who has Hinchcliffe right behind him. Franchitti up two places to ninth. #indycar


tial99 Tia

Sheriff Deputy in stands. Guess they're serious about the rules! I'm not standing but my feet can't stop bouncing! Shaking Stands. #indycar


BrunoTarulli34Bruno Tarulli

#IndyCarOtro link: bit.ly/mZo43t


Lap 20 of 200


Dario passes Dixon to take over P8 … up from P11


IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series

Graham Rahal and James Hinchcliffe are battling for second! Power up by 0.6983 seconds.


indy44Matt Archuleta

Bell +12 Briscoe +8 Wheldon +7 #IndyCar


seeuatthefrontKatie

Love watching @Hinchtownmaking @GrahamRahal's life difficult. Can tell Hinch has him rattled. #IndyCar


f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Hinchcliffe still very close to Rahal but can't find a way past, Power one second ahead. #indycar


Lap 30 of 200


99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

Suspect the changed aero rules are the reason. RT @gochrisuniverse No pack racing. Why would Firestone alter their tire compound? #INDYCAR


Dario passes Carpenter and RHR on Lap 34 for P6


amberclevelandAmber Cleveland

Helio has a water leak in the car...due to engine change just before start. Helio pitting now #IndyCar


tial99 Tia

Castroneves concerns with car. Coming in. #indycar


Lap 40 of 200 – Clean & Green from the “Drop”!


Dario slips back to P9, Dixon moves up to P7 followed by Carpenter at P8


AirNickVNick Van De Sompele

love to see all of the 15 people that still care about indycar are at the race today!


cristina_CHCHTV Cristina Tenaglia

"@IndyCar: Graham Rahal and James Hinchcliffe are battling for second! Power up by 0.6983 seconds."#kentuckyindy300


Lap 50 of 200 Pit Stops begin


Will Power and Ana Beatriz get together – Beartiz is sent out in front of Power


Lap 56 of 200 – Dario Franchitti leads with the top 10 being Hildebrand, Andretti, Dixon, Rahal, RHR, Carpenter, Hinchtown, POWER, and then Briscoe … Castroneves’ day is done


ingridmaeIngrid S

Tough break for Helio. #IndyCar@KySpeedway


Lap 60 of 200


amberclevelandAmber Cleveland

RT @spunk72: Anybody but Dario. Seriously. #IndyCar


A full field races hard behind the leaders at Kentucky Speedway. Image Credit: IndyCar_Aldia


msarmbrester Michael Armbrester

Incredible pit shuffle there! Dario 8th to 1st, Will Power 1st to 8th. Bonkers! #IndyCar


Rachaelwith2AsRachael

I don't quite understand how Dario has put himself in front but I'm loving it!! #indycar


GL2488Glenn Locke

Uh oh, in #indycar it could become a Ganassi 1 2


KySpeedwayKentucky Speedway

.@IndyCar Ky Indy 300 Lap 65: @dariofranchittileads @JRHildebrand by .1030: 3-5: @scottdixon9 @MarcoAndretti @GrahamRahal @RyanHunterReay


Lap 70 of 200


Power drops to P9 – Franchitti, Hildebrand, and Dixon are 1-2-3!


Beard77Wronkle

Watching the IndyCar Kentucky 300. Good race very fast lots of action so far. #IndyCarDominates


Indy_ModeMandy Valentine

I hate Robin Miller. Just FYI. One thing i don't miss about living in Indy is him. #indycar


Lap 79 – YELLOW Flag for debris


Lap 80 of 200


estradawriting Christopher Estrada

Debris in the backstretch, CAUTION Lap 80. #IndyCar


Anthony_StuartAnthony Stuart

Phantom debris cautions, coming soon to an INDYCAR race near you


shagersShane Rogers

Yellow for Will Power's toys which have been thrown out of the pram in turn 2. #indycar


Will Power comes in for adjustments and repairs from the bump given him by Ana Betriz – Down to P18 down by 24 points if race were to end this minute.


StwrdDiscretion Steward's Discretion

Strictly speaking, duct tape isn't approved equipment. But I'll let it go, @12WillPower . THIS time.#indycar#fastesttapeintheworld


FollowAndretti Andretti Autosport

Nice job Team @GoDaddy! RT @IndyCar Danica Patrick gains the most spots coming out of the pits, moving up four spots to ninth.


shagersShane Rogers

Might be two years in a row Will Power's lost the championship due to a hole in his car on a 1.5. Remember Texas 2010? #indycar


Lap 90 of 200


More sidepod repairs to Powers car – sad really.


Verizon Penske Racing's Will Power in for a splash of ethanol and tires late in the race to maintain position of not losing more points to rival and three-time IZOD ICS champion, Dario Franchitti. Image Credit: Paul Dalbey


Lap 91 of 200 RESTART


IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series

Green flag on Lap 91. Franchitti, Dixon, Andretti, Hildebrand and Rahal lead.


driverswanted07Ross Bynum

Can I start the "Anybody but Franchitti" chant? #Indycar


LewisFranckLewis Franck

Curious. IndyCar teams have spare noses. No spare sidepods available?


KF4LMTMac McCormick III

@CathyCardinalNothing IndyCar Race Control does anything surprises me.


Report from IMS Radio – Castroneves sidepod will not fit as per team leader Cendric.


Lap 100 of 200


JaysKeysJay's Keys

@IndyCar We're halfway through Kentucky Indy 300. Franchitti leads Andretti by .0626 secs


indy44Matt Archuleta

Will and Liz's dinner table might be pretty quiet tonight. #IndyCar


Lap 110 of 200


motorsport_feed Motor Sport News

#INDYCAR: Conquest Racing Kentucky qualifying report dlvr.it/p1hVk #motorsport


jmcc09 Jenna

Briscoe is tumbling down. Now P15. Anyone at the track listening to his radio? #indycar


GL2488Glenn Locke

Andretti has been trying to pass Franchitti for the last 32 laps. #indycar


Lap 120 of 200


Top 10 are Franchitti, Andretti, Dixon, Carpenter, Hildebrand, Rahal, Hinchcliff, Servia, RHR, and Kimball.


99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing - Wheldon was up to 12th and is now back in 15th. Seems to be slowing a touch. #IndyCar


3Paige14Paige

Will wouldn't have been where he was in the pits if it weren't for his bad qualy run in New Hampshire. #indycar


IndyCarIZOD IndyCar Series

Carpenter has made his way back into the top 5, currently in 4th between Dixon and Hildebrand. Power still holding in 23rd, Patrick in 12th.


Lap 130 of 200


tial99 Tia

Heard over radio "Dont get stupid up there." #indycar


Power within a few laps of going 1 Lap down.


amarquis32Andy Marquis

Franchitti is the luckiest person in motorsports. #IndyCar


Lap 140 of 200


estradawriting Christopher Estrada

Pit stops beginning once more. #IndyCar


Service Central/Ganassi Racing's Graham Rahal in tow behind Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Dario Franchitti ... and ahead of Franchitti team-mate Scott Dixon, Telemundo Newman Haas' Oriol Servia, and eventual race winner, Dollar General Sarah Fisher Racing's Ed Carpenter. Image Credit: Indy Social Grid


toomuchracingPat W

yikes RT @estradawriting: WHAT. Carpenter's helmet coming apart and he's holding left side bolts together with his hand. #IndyCar


YELLOW Flag –


KF4LMTMac McCormick III

That was scary. Simona got sideways on pit lane and hit a KV crewman waiting to do pit stop. #IndyCar


WxTurtleColin Z.

Simona was behind Wheldon in pits, was leaving- cold tires, you figure.#indycar


99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

Pit stops under yellow. Hold your breath. #IndyCar


f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Now Andretti in a pit lane collision with Lloyd and Viso. #indycar


Venom Energy Andretti Autosport team as it tends after Marco Andretti's Honda Dallara. Image Credit: Bret Kelley


theamyedixonAmy E. Dixon

What is going on at this #IndyCarrace!?


dbsdadTim Blum

Did everyone just forget how to drive?


The Venom Energy car of Marco Andretti unable to continue in the race.


Lap 147 RESTART


SnoopDarrJames Darr

Talking racing, or Ashley Judd? #indycarRT @paultracy3: Dario could have more luck than Jimmy Johnson


Lap 150 of 200


Top 10 being Dario, Rahal, Dixon, Carpenter, RHR, Servia, Hinchcliff, Cunningham, Patrick, & Briscoe.


allancaleyLincsWhite

@IndyCar "Oh Dear! Is that Will Power about to go a lap down, let's throw a yellow and say there was debris on the track!!!"


indy44Matt Archuleta

Correction-> Marco said his Dad was right, it was his fault in the pits. #IndyCar


BJUNQUEIRABRUNO JUNQUEIRA

Too many drivers mistakes in the pits, the mechanics are paying the price @IndyCar what do you think @paultracy3 ?


Lap 160 of 200


tial99 Tia

Race to finish is gonna be about fuel. Graham doesn't have enough to make it to the end. Plan is to draft off Dario. #indycar


CharlesRBlackCharles Black

@67edcarpenter to P3!! He's flying! Clearly not worried about saving fuel. #IndyCar


Lap 167 – YELLOW Flag


GL2488Glenn Locke

Ana BEATRIZ HAS CRASHED HARD, yikes #indycar


NegativeVORPEric Hamme

Ouch, that looks like a big whack for Bia. #indycar


stevie_mariee StevieMarie Nicole

Rough day in @IndyCarracing. First Simona then Andretti now Beatrice....


_michaelcurry_Michael J Curry

So look out RT @IndyCar: Pits are open.


davedusickDave Dusick

@IndyCar: Yellow flag, Ana Beatriz hits the wall.” <-- Franchitti, Rahal & Carpenter lead them into pits... Should be final stop. Lap 169.


Lap 170 of 200


burk992Chris Burk

Most are staying out. This is gonna get stupid. #indycar


hotrod_dqDale Quinn

If you think the stands at Dover are empty, check the Indycar race from Kentucky on Versus. You see more people at a bus stop!!!


NegativeVORPEric Hamme

Unfortunately, I think this race can be called. Dario's going to win unless Ed pulls off a miracle. #indycar


msarmbrester Michael Armbrester

First half of race: pretty clean. Second half of race: giant hot mess. #IndyCar


Dan_BrunellDan Brunell

Everything has fell into Dario's lap today. #indycar


tommifinntommifinn

#IndyCar#Beatriz: at least some justice, happy to see you on the wall. you deserved it!!!


Lap 178 of 200 – RESTART


Top 5 are Franchitti, Dixon, Carpenter, Ryan Hunter-Reay, & Oriol Servia … Rahal at P16 … Power last on lead lap at P19.


Close, high-speed action at the line during the Kentucky 300. Image Credit: Brett Kelley


Carpenter passes Dixon for P2 and plants himself on Franchitti’s tail.


ThrashdannyDaniel Mayhew

an amazing indycar race action all over the place and incidents in the pits


Lap 180 of 200


besweeetBrian Sweet

Really want Carpenter to win this IndyCar race. 10 laps to go! Finish is going to be super close...


mveilensteinMarcal

9 laps left at Kentucky. Top 10 within 1.5s. #indycar


99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

When you don't see them for a while, you forget how nutty these restarts are on ovals! Breathe... breathe... #indycar


f1fanaticliveF1 Fanatic Live

Carpenter side-by-side with Franchitti for the lead. #indycar


KySpeedwayKentucky Speedway

.@IndyCar Ky Indy 300: @67edcarpenter led lap 185, still tight with @dariofranchitti


CharlesRBlackCharles Black

Dollar General is really getting it's money worth from @67edcarpenter and @sfracing #IndyCar


amberclevelandAmber Cleveland

Ed is giving Dario a run for his money. 17 laps left - Dario, Carpenter, Dixon, Cunningham, RHR, Hinch, Briscoe #IndyCar


99foreverSteph@MoreFrontWing

I'm yelling at the TV. I never do that! COME ON, ED! #IndyCar


Lap 190 of 200 – Carpenter is counted as the leader of the lap by a fraction of an inch.


SpeedFreakBashBash Beard

Man I love this dogfight between Ed and Dario! #INDYCAR


thehestercutionBrinton Hester

It looks like Carpenter isn't using his overtakes #indycar


EOlmosEduardo Olmos Ayala

Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. Ed. #IndyCar


ingridmaeIngrid S

Now this is the kind of finish we live through the yellow finishes for!#IndyCar


Ed Carpenter uses final Push To Pass to catch Franchitti to the line with about an eight inch margin.

WGRFastTrackDave Buchanan

Woooo Ed Carpenter narrowly beats Franchitti for #IndyCarwin at Kentucky


MVBN15 MVBN15

That was a fantastic @IndyCarrace! Congrats to @67edcarpenter@SarahFisher67 and everyone else! #indycar


Team owner Sarah Fisher answers questions about the decision by Dollar General to not renew sponsorship of Ed Carpenter (seated next to Sarah) and Sarah Fisher Racing next year in the post race press conference. Image Credit: Indy Social Grid


indyram500Mark Thompson

@DollarGeneral PLEASE don't pull the plug on SFR and Indycar.....patience pays off....what a race!!!


Beard77 Wronkle

Great to see a small team like SFR pick up a huge win on an oval. Hope we see multiple teams winning next season as well. #IndyCar


BUbacktobackChris Love

@67edcarpenter @sarahfisher67 @tomasscheckter Can't wait till Vegas!! This will be lights out!! Way to go Ed. Nice work today!!


chrischiltChris Chilton

What a race that was, pit-lane mayhem, controversy, brilliant wheel to wheel racing. And a winning margin of 1/1000th of a second! #indycar


END - Results and background story here>>

In a post race interview, Penske Racing’s Tim Cendric gave this response when asked how this result effects Will Power’s chances at closing out the season as a winner at the last race in Las Vegas October 16th, 2011 – “Well, you know with a 1-2-3 finish [by Penske Racing ... as we did at Infineon Raceway], Will Power will become champion at the end of the race.”

A tall order since the 18th and final race of the season will feature a 34-car field for the IZOD IndyCar World Championships presented by Honda, which represents the largest field in series history and largest outside Indianapolis since 1997 at Las Vegas.

Going into the last race on October 16, 2011 in Las Vegas we will see Dario Franchitti lead Will Power by 18 points with Scott Dixon bringing up the rear with his A.J. Foyt Trophy in hand at 55 points with no chance for the championship ... but all team-mates (3 for Ganassi and 2 for Penske) may have an affect on just who ends up with the IZOD IndyCar Series championship.

… notes from The EDJE

No comments: